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“He Is Novice in Professional Boxing”: Zhilei Zhang Predicts Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou

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Anthony Joshua

What does Zhilei Zhang expect from AJ vs. Ngannou? Ahead of the event on March 8th, at their press conference, Francis Ngannou doubted if Anthony Joshua could display the same resilience as Tyson Fury against the former UFC fighter. In addition, Ngannou also stated that Joshua did not have a chin as strong as The Gypsy King’s. As a result, the former mixed martial artist concluded Joshua, a former unified Heavyweight champion “would not take what Tyson did“.

In this context, while Zhilei Zhang believes Joshua has more experience and skill, Ngannou possesses commendable power as a boxer. As a result, the WBO Interim Heavyweight title holder, who will face Joseph Parker on the undercard of Ngannou vs. ‘AJ’, warned Joshua of Francis’ style.

Zhilei Zhang cautions Anthony Joshua against Francis Ngannou’s power and chin

Although Ngannou, as expected by the majority, lost to Tyson Fury in his boxing debut, the 37-year-old impressed the boxing world with his skills. In the third round of the fight, Ngannou shocked everyone as he knocked down ‘The Gypsy King’ with only a lead hook, displaying his ability to generate massive power in close range. But, since Joshua has already had 30 professional bouts and unified the Heavyweight title, Zhang feels Joshua can capitalize on his experience against Francis.

“I think when you look at Francis Ngannou, he’s a novice. Obviously, he is a novice in professional boxing. But he did really really well against Tyson Fury. Everybody could see that. So, in terms of boxing skill and boxing experience, I think Joshua is definitely on the up hand. There’s no question about that,” said Zhilei Zhang.

Despite Joshua’s experience, Zhilei Zhang believes one punch can change the night given it is heavyweight boxing. Hence, he added, “However, Ngannou has the power, he has the chin. And, we’re talking about Heavyweight boxing. There’s so many things that could happen within one split second. Let’s say, one punch can even change the whole fight.”

Likewise, the 40-year-old Chinese fighter also advised Joshua to improve his defense. “So, you never know. I think for Joshua, what he has to really pay attention to is the defense and make sure it’s sound,” he concluded. Well, do you agree with Zhilei Zhang? In your opinion, who has a better chance of winning – Joshua or Francis? Let us know in the comments below.

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Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker to fight on Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou undercard as March date confirmed

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Anthony Joshua

Zhilei Zhang, while Parker vaulted himself back into contention by beating Deontay Wilder last month

Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker will fight for the interim WBO title on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

A bout between Zhang and Deontay Wilder had previously been discussed, but the Chinese heavyweight contender will now take on Parker in Riyadh on Friday, March 8.

The New Zealander vaulted himself back into title contention with a dominant unanimous decision win over Wilder at the Kingdom Arena in December.

Joseph Parker

Former WBO heavyweight champion Parker now faces the interim title-holder Zhang, who is coming off back-to-back stoppage wins over Joe Joyce in April and September last year, and has amassed a 26-1-1 (21) record since turning professional in August 2014.

The first of those victories against British heavyweight Joyce saw Zhang, 40, claim the interim WBO title. The full version is currently held by Oleksandr Usyk, who faces Tyson Fury in a bout for undisputed status in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 17.

Anthony Joshua

Parker, meanwhile, fought four times in 2023 and notched up victories in all of those to put an 11th-round KO by Joyce in September 2022 behind him.

The 31-year-old’s record now stands at 34-3 (23) and his promoter, David Higgins, told Sky Sports last month he believes Parker has silenced the critics following that upset win over the hard-punching Wilder

For me, it was the best performance of Joseph’s career,” Higgins said.

“The reason I say that is because those massive, global, pay-per-view fights have a special pressure about them, the eyes of the world are upon you and against his opponent, a murderous puncher, one of the most feared in history, you can’t really describe what that pressure is like until you’ve been in that situation.

“A couple of times he came up short [in his career], but this time he maintained a cool head, was patient, showed intent, stuck to the fight plan, withstood the pressure. He didn’t just win but dominated Wilder.

“His doubters and the people writing him off, he’s certainly shut that crowd up. In New Zealand, the leading newspapers said he is back, and he’s got another run at a world title.”

 

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Zhilei Zhang: Ngannou Fight Should Be Wake-Up Call For Fury, Leaning To Usyk To Win

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Zheil Zhang

Heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang will be a very interested observer in some of the upcoming fights in his weight class.

On February 17 in Saudi Arabia, unbeaten champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will collide for the undisputed crown, with the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO, WBC world titles at stake.

Zhang is WBO’s mandatory challenger to the Fury-Usyk winner.

The Chinese giant is unsure of who will win, but he cautions that Fury needs to properly prepare himself after struggling, back in October, in a crossover boxing match with MMA veteran Francis Ngannou. Fury, who went down in the third round, was able to come away with a split decision win.

“I don’t know [who will win Fury-Usyk], anything can happen and my experience in the business tells me that until you hear the opening bell, anything is possible. If someone feels like they are not themselves then they could call the fight off. I’m unsure if it happens,” Zhang said.

“The Francis Ngannou fight should be a wake up call for Tyson Fury. You have to train hard and focus on the gym, but you never know, everyone is different. But I can tell you if he prepares the same way he did against Francis Ngannou then he is going to be in big trouble and big danger.”
Zheil Zhang

At the moment, Zhang is more geared to seeing an Usyk victory based on their most recent performances.

“Right now, I am leaning towards Usyk to winning this fight as I believe skills pay the bills and dedication is the key to the sport of boxing,” Zhang said.

Zhang is coming off a big banner year after scoring back-to-back stoppage victories of Olympic silver medal winner Joe Joyce of the UK.

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Anthony Joshua’s next opponent? Zhilei Zhang being considered to fight former heavyweight champion

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Anthony Joshua and Zheil Zhang

Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang holds the WBO Interim title after two consecutive knockout victories over Joe Joyce; Zhang is under consideration for a potential fight with Anthony Joshua in March; Joshua beat him at the London 2012 Olympic Games but Zhang now wants his revenge

Zhilei Zhang is being considered as a potential opponent for Anthony Joshua’s next fight in March.

Joshua was aiming to box Deontay Wilder. But after Joseph Parker upset the American last month, Joshua was left looking for alternative opponents.

Other possible options as well as Zhang reportedly include former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and Filip Hrgovic, the mandatory challenger for the IBF title.

On his Instagram account Zhang wrote: “I lost to a better man 11 years ago in the Olympics. I’m happy we have both come a long way, gone through ups and downs in life

“Now it’s time to do this for the sport of boxing and give it to the fans around the world. Let’s get it on!”

Joshua lost his unified world championship to Oleksandr Usyk and could not beat the Ukrainian in a 2022 rematch. But he has rebuilt from those two defeats, racking up three wins over the course of 2023.

Most recently he hammered Otto Wallin in impressive style and the former titlist is readying to make a return to championship class.

Anthony Joshua

Tyson Fury, who holds the WBC belt, would be a major British fight for Joshua. But Fury’s promoter Frank Warren previously told Sky Sports Joshua would “have a long wait” for him.

“Tyson’s got his fight and his programme’s set out for [the] year and at this moment in time doesn’t include Joshua,” Warren said.

Fury fights Usyk for the undisputed title on February 17 and the two are widely expected to have a rematch later in 2024 as well.

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Zhilei Zhang Believes He’ll Put Anthony Joshua To Sleep

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Anthony Joshua

In terms of age, Zhilei Zhang is up there. The now 40-year-old knew that time wasn’t on his side and following a highly controversial loss at the hands of Filip Hrgovic late last year, it appeared as though he would spend the rest of his time in boxing’s purgatory.

The Chinese native seemed destined to begin life as a stepping stone, a mercenary if you will. Joe Joyce, a former highly ranked contender, gave the 40-year-old a call. He just finished wrapping up a highlight-worthy win over Joseph Parker and needed at least one more solid victory before putting himself in the mix.

Zhang took Joyce up on his brazen offer and proceeded to issue back-to-back beatings on the former Olympic silver medalist. Still, even with the biggest wins of his career in his back pocket, Zhang is on the outside looking in.

The goal for Zhang is to eventually wrap a world title around his waist, but with Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury contractually bonded to one another for at least the next two fights, Zhang will have to keep himself busy in the meantime.

Anthony Joshua

Essentially, considering his position, Zhang could choose just about anyone. So who would the surging contender love to get his hands on to solidify his ranking?

“Anthony Joshua,” said Zhang during a recent interview with BoxingScene.com.

Unfortunately for Zhang, Joshua’s a bit busy at the moment. The former two-time unified champ returns on December 23rd, in showdown against Otto Wallin.

Zhang isn’t exactly sure who will win but he does plan on pulling his chair close to his television set to watch the fireworks. Secretly, Zhang is crossing his fingers and hoping that the division’s cash cow nabs the win. If he does, Zhang could get what he’s looking for and face Joshua next. As for how that hypothetical matchup would play out, Zhang gave a succinct answer.

“I’ll put him to sleep.”

Provided Joshua wins, he would move ahead with a planned bout against former WBC champion Deontay Wilder in the first quarter of 2024. Wilder would of course have to win his own fight, with Joseph Parker, which is the co-featured attraction to the Joshua-Wallin clash.

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Zhilei Zhang Sends Anthony Joshua One-Word Warning On How Fight Would Go

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Anthony Joshua and Zheil Zhang

Zhilei Zhang is riding high off the back of an excellent 2023 in the heavyweight division, and he has his eye on the next target.

‘Big Bang’ forced a doctor’s stoppage in his first bout with Joe Joyce this year, handing the Brit his first loss and upsetting the odds.

Joyce bravely took an immediate rematch, and was dispatched in half the time from a brutal right hook that sent him crashing to the canvas and shattered his aura of invincibility.

With those two wins, Zhang holds the WBO Interim World Title and at the front of the queue to face Oleksandr Usyk in a mandatory defence.

Unfortunately for the 40-year-old southpaw, Usyk has plans with WBC Champion Tyson Fury to fight and crown an undisputed champion.

The rematch clause in the contract means Zhang will likely have to wait it out to face the winner or compete for the belt if it becomes vacant.

Anthony Joshua

He’s made it clear that he will be taking no easy fights in the meantime, and told FightHype.com that two-time world champion Anthony Joshua is on his list.

That knockout warning won’t be taken lightly given Zhang has 21 stoppages from 26 wins.

The two heavyweights have history dating back to the London Olympic Games in 2012 – a quarter-final bout. Joshua came off better in a second round exchange, countering Zhang with a well-timed right hand and sending him to the canvas.

Zhang would later say that Joshua ‘ran away’ during the third round on his way to a 15-11 points decision – something he has accused him of doing in the pro game too.

For now, ‘AJ’ has a tough test in Otto Wallin, a win likely setting up a fight with Deontay Wilder but also opening the door to a potential world title shot.

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Zhilei Zhang Names The Top 5 Heavyweight He Wants On Fury-Usyk Card: “I Like That Fight”

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Zheil Zhang

Zhilei Zhang’s 2023 consists of two stoppage wins over the previously undefeated Joe Joyce, and the hard-hitting southpaw from Zhoukou, China looks to keep that momentum going in the new year.

With just a sole decision loss on his record to Filip Hrgovic – and a contentious one at that – ‘Big Bang’ has fast become a fighter fans feel is avoided.

Fortunately for him, the Joyce wins have secured his spot at the top table, and he’s earned a shot at unified champion Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian will face Tyson Fury on February 17 to crown an undisputed champion, and Zhang wants to be fighting just before the two titlists.

Speaking to the Express, he named Efe Ajagba as an ideal opponent.

Ajagba – coming off a stoppage over Joseph Goodall – is currently ranked number 11 with the WBO, the sanctioning body that Zhang holds his Interim title with. He is fifth with the WBC and twelfth with the IBF.

The one blemish on his 20-fight record is a decision loss to Frank Sanchez, which came back in 2021. He has built up a string of four victories since.

Tyson Fury

Whilst it’s perhaps not as high-level as some fans would like, Zhang is right in saying that most others are tied up – five of the WBO’s top ten have fights booked.

Amongst the names that are seemingly free to fight, Andy Ruiz Jr and Jared Anderson are also options, and both are ranked higher than Ajagba.

‘Big Bang’ will be looking to keep hold of his mandatory position in the hope that he fights for the full world title later in the year. With a rematch clause in the Fury-Usyk bout, at least some of the belts are expected to fragment after their first encounter.

The IBF has already confirmed that the winner will be stripped should he not face its mandatory challenger, Hrgovic. Whether or not the WBO will follow suit remains to be seen, and may depend on the second fight’s timeline.

At 40-years-old, Zhang doesn’t have long to wait for his first crack at a world title.

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Zhilei Zhang predicts Tyson Fury ‘disaster’ in ominous warning to champion

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Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk vs Zheil Zhang

Chinese heavyweight boxer Zhilei Zhang believes he holds all of the required tools to bring to an end the unbeaten professional record held by Tyson Fury.

The 35-year-old from Wythenshawe is due to return to the ring against Oleksandr Usyk in February next year, after a sub-par display in his last fight against Francis Ngannou. Fury’s record currently stands at an impressive 34-0-1, with his only blemish so to speak a draw against Deontay Wilder back in December 2018.

Zhang himself has only lost one fight throughout his career to date, a unanimous decision defeat to Filip Hrgovic. However, many have continued to praise the 40-year-old giant, with his recent back-to-back victories over Joe Joyce proof that their may still be life in the old dog still.

After watching Fury’s fight against Ngannou, Zhang told the Town Bizznizz sports and ent YouTube channel that he believed Fury’s mindset was not in the correct place ahead of the bout. “I think Tyson Fury probably never trained for the Ngannou fight. It was not the Fury we know, it was a totally different person.

“If you look at his career, he’s got hit, he’s got dropped, and my punches are not a joke. When my punches land, it’s going to be a disaster for him.”

Adding further fuel to the fire along the way, Zhang believes he has more than earned his chance to fight some of the division’s top names. Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua were rumoured to be in talks regarding a potential fight, but will now fight Joshua Parker and Otto Wallin respectively next month in Saudi Arabia, on the very same boxing card.

“I always wanted to get the big four names,” Zhang continued. “Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder but they don’t want to fight me. They are running away from me.”

 

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Tyson Fury has received a strong warning as Oleksandr Usyk fight creeps closer

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Tyson Fury

Tyson Fury’s immediate focus is his upcoming fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

Yet Zhilei Zhang has warned the Gypsy King he’ll endure a ‘disaster’ if he ever gets the chance to go up against the Gypsy King.

Fury and Usyk recently confirmed a new date for their showdown in Saudi Arabia, having originally been due to face each other in December.

The fight was delayed, however, with Fury needing more time to recover from his recent victory over Francis Ngannou.

Zhang has spoken of his desire to face the Briton in the past.

And he’s now expressed a belief he’d knock Fury down if they ever fought, warning his fellow boxer that his punches ‘are not a joke’.

“I think Tyson Fury probably never trained for the Ngannou fight,” Zhang told Bizznizz Sports.

Oleksandr Tyson

“It was not the Fury we know, it was a totally different person.

“If you look at his career, he’s got hit, he’s got dropped, and my punches are not a joke.

“When my punches land, it’s going to be a disaster for him.”

Zhang also claimed that Fury, along with Usyk, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, are running scared of him as well.

“I always wanted to get the big four names – Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder,” he added.

“But they don’t want to fight me.

“They are running away from me.”

Right now there’s no sign of Fury and Zhang meeting in the ring any time soon.

The Briton’s priority is defeating Usyk and his promoter, Frank Warren, has suggested a rematch with Ngannou is on the cards.

“I think there’s a good chance of that happening. I do,” he said on the MMA hour.

“I don’t know [if it’ll be next for Fury].

“It’s like jumping too far forward. Let’s get the big one [with Oleksandr Usyk] out of the way first, and then we’ll see where we go.

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Zhilei Zhang Has Changed His Verdict On Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk Fight

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Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk vs Zheil Zhang

Heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang has given his thoughts ahead of the undisputed clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury and Usyk are set to face each other on February 17 to decide the number one in the division – the first time such a champion has been crowned since the days of Lennox Lewis.

‘The Gypsy King’ was a heavy favourite in the eyes of most before his fight against Francis Ngannou last month. The former UFC champion shocked the world when he knocked Fury down in the third round and only lost by a close split decision on the scorecards.

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury

Before that night, Zhang, who is coming off a second knockout victory over Joe Joyce, was confident that Fury would relieve Usyk of his belts.

However, since that shock performance against Ngannou, Zhang told All Out Fighting that he now believes the fight is much closer and the Ukrainian will ‘definitely’ give the WBC champion problems.

Zhang is currently in the WBO mandatory position and could be in line for a shot at the title in 2024 if he maintains his winning form.

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