Even at his age, he can improve his stamina. He is in such a bad shape, that no matter what, every small progress would be a huge improvement. He already beat Hrgovic with this poor stamina.
I think Zhang deserved a draw at least, although I didn't have too many complaints about hrgovic winning 114-113 as he clearly won the last 2-3 rounds, but 115-112 is basically robbery. Hrgovic's shots were often blocked by Zhang. I think it's very honourable he's giving Zhang a rematch as he knows that he may have been lucky in the decision and he was clearly getting schooled at times in the match. Get Zhang vs Hrgovic on the Usyk/Fury undercard!!!
Zhang is not in bad shape though. He usually is, but he was going well until round 10-12 when he gassed out, but you has to expect that from a guy who's nearly 40. He needs a KO victory though, as it's clear he was throwing less to save energy for the times where it mattered. He came so close to 1-2 other knockdowns.
So what's the best move for Zhang now? His performance on Saturday raised a lot of people's opinions on him and definitely raised his stock despite the loss, which a lot of people saw him winning and many who didn't said it could have gone either way. He's also now ranked as the number ten heavyweight by The Ring magazine, though that will probably change due to Fury "coming out of retirement," but it's still a pretty good acknowledgement regardless. Seems like he's finally got some recognition and is in a prime position to capitalize on it with two possible paths to go down. There's the potential rematch of course but Chisora also said he'd be interested in fighting him next. Both seem to have their ups and downs. If he fights Hrgovic again it's another chance at becoming a mandatory and redeeming his only loss, but another loss to the same person could result in him losing the momentum he got from the first fight, regardless of if it's close or not. He could fight Chisora and maybe get a few other good names on his resume and earn another shot, but time isn't exactly on his side. Y'know, given Usyk's statements on retiring after the undisputed fight, the belts could scatter soon. Wouldn't it be funny if the next time Zhang and Hrgovic stepped in the ring together it would be for the vacant belt? I'm not sure if the IBF would let that fight be for the belt or if they'd want Hrgovic to fight someone else, but it's an interesting scenario to think about.
This is one rematch that's worth it. No more uysk Vs Joshua or wilder Vs Fury or Ruiz Vs Joshua No more Chisora rematching old rivals, he should be gatekeeping the new crop who haven't challenged for the title. Zhang and Hrgovic were both on the same level and it was extremely close fight, so a rematch is profitable to both who wants the final eliminator spot.
To me it looked like Hrgovic was just not concentrated or off during this fight. He would look away like he was not paying attention or something and would get hit with big shots. He has a good chin (t least up to now). Zhang would land the bigger punches, but Hrgovic was just trowing more and although it looked that Hrgovic was getting tired; Zhang was really exhausted at the last rounds. Don't know why they don't try to train their endurance a little more... Probably a rematch would go more or less the same way
Thought this on the night, and I think that now. I think a lot of people just want Hrgovic to fail. Lots of happy campers turned into upset campers after he showed urgency in the latter stages of the fight, and banked the last 3 rounds. It wasn't the best the showing but he got the job done, and he got it done against an undefeated guy with serious amateur pedigree. He's only 30 and the division will likely be wide open again in a few years once Usyk and Fury are gone. Silly to write him off.
It's not like Fury hasn't looked like **** against a handful of opponents. At least a few were far worse fighters than Zhang. Same goes for Usyk against Chisora.
He's had a dedicated band of haters since he turned pro. People crucified him for pulling out after he lost his father. He was completely understandably really cut up badly about that And Zhang was his first fight with a new trainer and they'd only been working together for the length of one camp Still can't believe they counted that as a KD.
Hrgovic isn’t good. He should call out a punching bag like Efe Ajagba after he knocks over this cab driver tmrw.
Fair move from Hrgović. He saw that he was not so convincing in the first fight. I believe that he will be more convincing in the second fight. He met Zhang, and time is working against Zhang. But such a fight does not bring Hrgović closer to the fight for the title, and the question is whether the victory in the rematch against Zhang puts him in the Top 10 heavyweights.