Zhilei Zhang Criticizes Eddie Hearn For Making Deontay Wilder Captain

Zhilei Zhang thinks Eddie Hearn made a mistake and is trying to suck up to Deontay Wilder by making him team captain.

Zhang is set to box Wilder in an intriguing heavyweight bout as it is a crossroads fight for both of them. Both are coming off losses and although Zhang is the betting favorite, Hearn made Wilder his team captain for the 5 v 5 event on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

“I think he made a mistake,” said Zhang (via BoxingScene). “I think they chose him as a captain to kiss his ass in order to get a promotional contract… “He’s a veteran, and he’s the ‘Bronze Bomber’ for a reason. But I think the Bomber is out of ammo, because he’s fighting ‘Big Bang’ now.”

Hearn, meanwhile, did express interest in signing Hearn to a promotional contract as he hopes he can start working with ‘The Bronze Bomber’ after Saturday.

“I’d love to sign Deontay Wilder. I think he’s one of the best heavyweights in the world, one of the most exciting heavyweights in the world – but so is Zhilei Zhang,” said Hearn. “I get to see [Wilder] explode on Saturday night. It’s an honor to represent Deontay Wilder, for one night only, and hopefully, as Zhilei Zhang said, the future does lead to a promotional contract. But all that matters is Saturday night, and I believe you’re going to see one of the most brutal knockouts you’ve seen in the heavyweight division and [Wilder] will announce himself and establish himself once more as the most dangerous man in the heavyweight division.”

Wilder enters his fight with Zhang as the +120 underdog.

Deontay Wilder is 43-3-1 as a pro and coming off a disappointing decision loss to Joseph Parker.