Potential Next Step for Deontay Wilder Revealed – If He Beats Zhilei Zhang on June 1

On June 1, Deontay Wilder returns to the ring to take on the heavy-handed Chinese heavyweight, Zhilei Zhang on the Queensberry Promotions vs. Matchroom 5v5 card at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. According to Bob Arum, if “The Bronze Bomber” wins this weekend, he would love to match him against undefeated heavyweight Jared Anderson.

Deontay Wilder Next Fight: Potential Next Step Revealed

Bob Arum Discusses Wilder-Zhang and Wilder-Anderson

All eyes will be on Riyadh this weekend as Matchroom face off against Queensberry, with many eyes on the heavyweight clash between Wilder and Zhang. Ahead of this huge heavyweight clash, Arum has revealed a fight he would like to make, with “The Bronze Bomber” taking on “The Real Big Baby.”

The 24-year-old unbeaten American was last seen when he defeated Ryad Merhy via unanimous decision, in what was a difficult watch.

Wilder will be eager to return to form after the disappointing defeat to Joseph Parker. 

When speaking to Sky Sports, Bob Arum said: “Wilder has a very tough fight coming up on Saturday with Zhilei Zhang, and if he wins, sure, we’d love to do that fight because it would be put Jared right up there among the top three or four heavyweights.”

He continued: “But I I really believe that Zhang is gonna be too much for Wilder, I think Wilder has slipped a little bit.”

Arum added: “Zhang is an awfully good fighter, he’s a rough, tough heavyweight, but we’ll have to see what happens in that fight on Saturday.”

The Future for Anderson

Looking at the future for Anderson, Arum said: “If Wilder is not available then we’re going to look for the biggest possible opponent for Jared to fight.” 

The Top Rank CEO continued: “We want to start moving Jared along, I know he’s young, but we really believe that he can compete with anybody in the heavyweight division.”

Arum added: “First we have to see who’s available and then we’ll make a decision. But right now, the plan is truly to fight Deontay Wilder.”

“But again, I’m a little pessimistic about Wilder getting through the fight against Zhang.”