In contrast to most other sports, boxing often presents a unique challenge for fighters. While a big win should ideally open doors to more opportunities, it often does the opposite and closes off potential opponents. This is especially true in the case of Zhilei Zang, the Chinese heavyweight boxer, who recently delivered a stunning victory over Joyce Joyce at Wembley on September 23rd. Despite the impressive win, it is likely that other heavyweight fighters will now avoid facing Zhang, recognizing the threat he poses.
Zhang possesses the qualities that make him a nightmare for any heavyweight fighter. Standing at six foot six and weighing 285 pounds, he is sizable and intimidating. Additionally, he is a skilled southpaw with heavy-handed punches. Even the previously highly regarded Joyce could not withstand Zhang’s relentless attacks, proving that Zhang possesses a unique combination of speed and power uncommon among heavyweights.
However, it is important to note that Zhang is not unbeatable, as he has suffered a controversial loss to Filip Hrgovic in 2022. Despite his vulnerabilities, Zhang’s size, left-handed stance, and punching power make him a fighter to avoid rather than target and defeat. It is now up to Frank Warren, Zhang’s promoter, to create opportunities for Zhang and force the top heavyweights to face him. Given that Zhang is now 40 years old, Warren must act quickly to secure meaningful fights for him.
Moving forward, it is uncertain who Zhang and Warren will target. However, it is clear that Zhang’s rematch with Joyce is highly unlikely, considering their vast skill disparity. Additionally, very few heavyweight fighters will be eager to go up against “Big Bang” Zhang. Listed below are several potential opponents for Zhang, though their willingness to fight him remains questionable:
1) Tyson Fury: A fight between Zhang and Fury could potentially be made since they are both promoted by Frank Warren. However, it is unlikely that Fury, who is currently focused on more lucrative fights, would be interested in facing a challenging southpaw like Zhang.
2) Anthony Joshua: Similar to Fury, Joshua may not be thrilled about the prospect of fighting Zhang due to his style. Having recently suffered two losses to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua may not want to face another methodical southpaw at this stage.
3) Oleksandr Usyk: A matchup between the two best southpaw heavyweights, Usyk and Zhang, would be a technical delight. Both fighters possess exceptional skill and ring intelligence, making it a highly appealing fight for purists.
4) Deontay Wilder: On paper, a fight between Wilder and Zhang would be a power-packed showdown. Both fighters have a reputation for stopping opponents who were previously considered unstoppable. It would be an exciting clash between two knockout artists.
5) Filip Hrgovic: Zhang deserves a rematch against Hrgovic, the undefeated Croatian boxer who narrowly defeated him in 2022. After securing impressive wins against Joyce, a rematch between Zhang and Hrgovic would make sense. However, it is likely that they will only meet again once they have either secured a title shot or failed in their attempt to become heavyweight champion.
Overall, Zhang’s recent victory has solidified his standing as a formidable and avoided heavyweight boxer. It is now up to his promoter to choose the right fights for him and establish his reputation as a top contender in the division.
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