Zhilei Zhang will be the moderate -163 favorite over Deontay Wilder (+130 underdog) when the two heavyweight boxers square off on June 1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
We've got a comprehensive Wilder vs Zhang odds breakdown, including our betting preview and picks.
Wilder vs Zhang Odds & Betting Preview
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Deontay Wilder | +130 |
| Zhilei Zhang | -163 |
Odds as of May 28
Using our odds calculator, Zhang's -163 favorite status means a $100 bet on him to win pays out $161.35. The same bet on Wilder pays out $230. Additionally, if you’re unfamiliar with betting on boxing, we have you covered with an in-depth How to Bet Boxing guide.
Betting Preview: How Wilder Wins
Oh, how quickly folks move on in pro boxing. Not long ago, Wilder was the man, throwing heavy overhands and stoking fear in the hearts of anyone who lined up opposite him. The public has changed its tune after Wilder's decision loss to Joseph Parker in December, a sluggish performance by the "Bronze Bomber" that almost saw him lose by TKO.
At 38 years old, Wilder has slowed down. His volume has shrunk and he's not as intimidating as before. Wilder has developed a habit of not throwing punches unless his opponent is stationary or being reckless. While that was a problem against Parker, Zhang won't present the same issues.
Zhang, 41, is older and slower than Wilder. He's not known for movement and his gas tank is notoriously suspect. He's no slouch, but Wilder can definitely tee him up.
Wilder might win a decision, so for that reason, I'd back him straight up at +130.
Betting Preview: How Zhang Wins
Like Wilder, Zhang prefers not to waste much time and sits down on his punches early. "Big Bang" scored two knockdowns in his loss to Parker in March, proving he's still very capable of doing damage.
Zhang is very accurate with his power shots. Although he may not always connect with Wilder's level of thump, the 41-year-old could easily land more frequent haymakers. Nobody scores swings and misses.
The gas tank remains an issue, so Zhang will look to put Wilder out sooner rather than later. The UNDER 6.5 rounds (-110) is your friend if you're back Zhang. You can parlay him to win (-163) with that UNDER for value close to +180.
Wilder vs Zhang Pick
Whichever side you're taking, I recommend the UNDER 6.5 rounds. These fighters are in the twilight of their careers, ready to go out on their shields for better or worse. Wilder still possesses the bronze overhand, while Zhang is a more accurate power puncher.
For my final pick, I'm snagging Wilder as the underdog. I tend to back the fighter with more upside in tight heavyweight bouts. Wilder is inconsistent but I'll bet he emerges victorious on Saturday.
