Deontay Wilder enters expected slugfest with Zhilei Zhang in desperate need of a victory

Boxing promoters, particularly Queensberry's Frank Warren and Matchroom's Eddie Hearn, owe a great deal of gratitude to Turki Alalshikh. Alalshikh is the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, and it is his love and passion for the sport and the government's nearly limitless funds that have made so many of these great fights which have gotten done over the last couple of years.

On Saturday in Riyadh, we'll get to see Alalshikh's latest idea play out when Queensberry and Matchroom stage the "5 versus 5" card at Kingdom Arena. Alalshikh's idea was for Warren to pick five of his fighters and Hearn to pick five of his and for them to meet in meaningful matches.

Now, not many outside of the U.K. will care too much about which promoter has the upper hand when the fights are complete. 

For the record, these are the 5 v 5 bouts:

The fights are what matters, and on this card, none is more important or intriguing than the main event, between Queensberry's Zhilei Zhang and Matchroom's Deontay Wilder.

Wilder is not only competing for Matchroom, but serving as the team captain. It's an odd sight given all the years that Wilder tried to get a bout with the Matchroom-promoted Anthony Joshua done to see him on the Matchroom side, but it is what it is.

The significance, though, is that Wilder is likely finished as a major attraction should he lose to Zhang. Wilder has lost three of his last four, with his only win coming in a one-round blowout of a completely overmatched Robert Helenius. But he was stopped by Tyson Fury on Feb. 22, 2020 and on Oct. 9, 2021; and decisioned by Joseph Parker on Dec. 23 in a shockingly listless and un-Wilder-like performance.

A win over Zhang will keep Wilder in contention for another significant fight. But a loss, given his age and career trajectory, would be devastating.

Wilder understands that as well as anyone is will be coming to remind those who are focused mainly on more recent results what he's capable of doing in the ring.

"Well, I'm the man with the big right hand, the big bomb," Wilder said. "Nobody has the mentality, the warrior's spirit, the warrior's heart and the killer instinct as I [do], especially when I'm on. When I'm on, I'm the most dangerous man in the world, and I'm ready to prove it come Saturday night."

Wilder is 43-3-1 with 42 KOs and has fashioned a legitimate reputation as one of the hardest hitters in boxing history.

But against Parker in Riyadh two days before Christmas, Wilder simply wasn't himself. He didn't let his hands go and was strangely passive. Parker is a good boxer and was able to jab and move and score points while largely outboxing Wilder. Wilder has never been confused with Willie Pep, and he's fought with a rage and a sense of urgency few have ever possessed. 

Against Parker, though, he kept the guns in the holster and didn't use them. If Wilder doesn't have his power, well, it's almost always going to be a huge issue for him.

So he's ready to make a statement by attacking the powerful Zhang, who is slow as the eclipse but packs plenty of pop in those giant-sized fists.

"They want the savagery; they want the savagery of the Bronze Bomber," Wilder said. "I said no more 'Mister Nice Guy,' because I'm in a place surrounded by so many beautiful people here. The Saudis want to see action. They want to see excitement. And I owe them that. I didn't deliver last time. This time, around, no more Mister Nice Guy."

Wilder is quite literally fighting for his professional life this time around. He's been one of the most exciting fighters of his generation and he's never hesitated to risk himself for the win and to put on a show.

Now, the show will be to save his career. And while he knows how hard Zhang can hit, he has a sense of what is coming.

"When you have Chinese power following Alabama power ... you know somebody's lights are going to get knocked out," he said.

If he's not the one doing the knocking out, it might be lights out on his career. Wilder hasn't needed a win this badly in his entire professional career.

Let's see if he is able to deliver one last memorable moment.