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Zhilei Zhang has welcomed a struggle with Oleksandr Usyk Photograph Credit score: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing Zhilei Zhang has opened the door to a future conflict with unified heavyweight world champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
Zhang appears to be like to safe a compulsory shot at Usyk’s WBC crown when he faces Agit Kabayel for the interim title on February 22 in Riyadh.
Usyk retained his WBC, WBA ‘super’ and WBO belts with a unanimous resolution victory over Tyson Fury of their rematch in Riyadh earlier this month and Zhang admits he’s wanting to face the Ukrainian, in what could be a maiden world title shot.
“If they want [to fight],” Zhang advised Seconds Out.
“If they want to see what it looks like, I’ll step in the ring.
Usyk beat Fury for a second time in Riyadh earlier this month Photo Credit: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions
“No [we haven’t fought] not even in the amateurs, because we’re from two different weight categories, two different divisions.
“But I do hope to share the ring with him in professional boxing a see what happens.”
The Chinese language southpaw secured a brutal fifth spherical stoppage over former heavyweight world champion, Deontay Wilder in June, bouncing again from his second skilled defeat to Joseph Parker three months prior.
Kabayel is undefeated in 25 skilled bouts and coming off a seventh spherical knockout of Frank Sanchez in Might and regardless of having a status of a fearsome puncher, Zhang believes his expertise will show decisive.
“Power is something I try to forget not to emphasise in this training camp,” the 41-year-old added.
“Me and my coach Shaun [George] have been working on this all the time to forget about my power.
“I need it.
“It’s going to be there, but I’m trying to be skilful [and] be better on the skill side this time.
“He’s young, he’s intelligent and he’s hungry.
“He’s definitely on the rise in trying to become one of the greatest.
“Speaking of his last fight against Frank Sanchez, I think he did really, really well, but unfortunately I’m not Frank Sanchez and it’s difficult to predict what’s going to happen.”
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Author : admin
Publish date : 2024-12-31 12:14:43
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