ESPN reported Wilder vs Zhang June 1st?

[pollywog]

Heavyweight Double-Header Featuring Zhang-Wilder And Dubois-Hrgovic Could Be Added To Bivol-Beterbiev Bill.

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That frees up Joshua to rematch Parker and maybe have Whyte v Joyce as well.

Of course A-Side Joshy doesn't want the Oilskin smoke but does The Desert Turki ?

[wrecksracer]

I don't know. I was pretty disappointed in both Zhang and Wilder's last fights. Neither looked like they could fight a full 3 minute round. Is the angle here "who is more shot?"

[kiaba360]

I think it will be great. They are both old and coming from terrible performances. The loser is probably done on elite level. the winner will get another big fight.

I always felt like Wilder would fight Miller if he ever came back. But Zhang is a more interesting fight.

One of the hallmarks of an "old" fighter is an inability to pull the trigger. I don't think this will be the case in this match-up, but in general, watching two fighters who can't pull the trigger doesn't sound enticing lol

Both counter-punchers which means they're economical, both known for power which decreases the desire to make mistakes or throw punches, and both don't have a great gas-tank. Ideally, this match-up would end in 6 rounds.

[Teetotaler69]

Emperor Zhang will make that boy bow down!

[JakeTheBoxer]

One of the hallmarks of an "old" fighter is an inability to pull the trigger. I don't think this will be the case in this match-up, but in general, watching two fighters who can't pull the trigger doesn't sound enticing lol

Both counter-punchers which means they're economical, both known for power which decreases the desire to make mistakes or throw punches, and both don't have a great gas-tank. Ideally, this match-up would end in 6 rounds.

But I love this fight. I just wonder what will happen and who will pull the trigger. I think Zhang wins by a KO-.

Maybe not a great fight in terms of skills, but every Wilder fight has an atmosphere "there is a KO waiting to happen".

[kiaba360]

Links show that Beterbiev v Bivol is official for June 1, as I said. There's not been an announcement about a firm date for the MR/QB 5v5, just speculation that it's going to take place on the undercard of Beterbiev v Bivol.

Don't think the Saudis care that much about theme. Turki seems more invested in making interesting fights than catering to promoters.

Turki is catering to Warren and Hearn by giving them a budget for this tourney. If QBvMR has its own card, that means they'll have to build their own main event. I think Hrgovic/Dubois for the vacant IBF title could work.

Beterbiev/Bivol, Wilder/Zhang, Joyce/Parker 2 on a separate card sounds like a good plan too.

[crimsonfalcon07]

Turki is catering to Warren and Hearn by giving them a budget for this tourney. If QBvMR has its own card, that means they'll have to build their own main event. I think Hrgovic/Dubois for the vacant IBF title could work.

Beterbiev/Bivol, Wilder/Zhang, Joyce/Parker 2 on a separate card sounds like a good plan too.

But most of those fights are being tied to the June 1 undercard...

[kiaba360]

But I love this fight. I just wonder what will happen and who will pull the trigger. I think Zhang wins by a KO-.

Maybe not a great fight in terms of skills, but every Wilder fight has an atmosphere "there is a KO waiting to happen".

I understand that the allure of Wilder is not knowing when the big punch is going to land, but seeing him get out-boxed en route to a KO victory bores me. AJ and Wilder were the reason I started giving a damn about HW in the first place, but Wilder never seemed to grow beyond his punching power...so eventually his shtick wore off.

[pollywog]

Joyce/Parker 2 on a separate card sounds like a good plan too.

why Joyce/Parker 2 and not AJ v Parker 2 ?

[mjh1969]

I see Zhang knocking out Wilder. I don't know why Wilder took this fight. First he loss to Parker and now he loses to Zhang. I have Zhang by fifth round KO.