Deontay Wilder was devastated after suffering a knockout defeat to Zhilei Zhang on Saturday night.

The American looked timid and gun-shy as he struggled to land his booming right hand on Zhang.

Wilder spent the majority of the fight with his back against the ropes before being knocked flat on his back by two lead hooks in the fifth round.

The former WBC heavyweight champion pulled himself off the canvas but his legs were unsteady as he returned to his feet, leaving the referee with no choice but to wave off the contest.

Despite his obvious disappointment, Wilder showed plenty of class in congratulating Zhang before leaving the ring.

As he did, TNT Sports cameras caught him crying out: “Come on man. F***”.

Meanwhile, someone else could be heard saying: “Career’s over.”

The Zhang KO marked his fourth loss in five fights and now Wilder’s next steps hang in the balance.

Prior to his last outing, he had admitted that defeat could spell the end of his career.

“I’ve had a successful career and this is a do-or-die moment for me,” Wilder told Seconds Out.

Deontay Wilder was devastated after suffering defeat to Zhilei Zhang 😢🥊#Boxing #5vs5 #RiyadhSeason @Queensberry pic.twitter.com/YIGPHLIN14

— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) June 4, 2024
“I don’t think the heavyweight division is exciting without Deontay Wilder in it but come Saturday night we will see.

“Will I prevail? Will I succeed? Who knows? But Saturday night is the true answer and we are going to see.

“This could be the end of the career, this could be the final farewell of Deontay Wilder if I lose.

“If I win, of course, I go on to bigger and better things.”

Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, recently told talkSPORT that his client is still deliberating over the decision.

But his mother, Deborah, has urged her son to call it a day.