Zhilei Zhang vs Efe Ajagba

No, I know exactly what I mean. He's underrated. His skillset isn't anywhere near as bad as people say it is.

 

Cos Zhang will be 41 by then?

 

No, more because Ajagba will likely improve greatly over the next 12 months.

 

Ajagba is improving, but no in the areas that would allow him to triumph against Zhang.

 

Thats what I think. Keeping your head in the center line all the time wont help against a big puncher. He needs to improve his defense asap or he will get knocked out.

 

Hmm?, Joyce is the yardstick for hittable fighters.

 

Kownacki has him beaten in that regard, guy makes Joyce look like Pernell Whitaker in comparison.

 

Honestly, he kinda is. He is still quite static which is what he would need to improve most against Zhang, but his jab is actually underrated, he's parry blocking more, using an angle every now and then, and is adding more midrange shots to his arsenal

I change my mind, Ajagba could win if he keeps up the refinement. But Zhang is the favorite, plus Ajagba is chinny

 

Zhang only needs to take on big fights due to his age and ranking. I'd like to see Ajagba face Dubois, Anderson or Mahmoudov.

 

Ajagba is slow, Zhang is fast. It resembles Zhang vs Joyce

 

Good jab is definitely an asset, but I reckon the combination of educated feints/dynamic leads and lateral movement/ring geometry is what would trouble a low-output counterpuncher like Zhang the most.

Lower his output, outwork or outpoint him, control where the action takes place if he tries to forcefully move in behind the high guard.

 

After 60 votes I'm surprised it's so lopsided in Zhang's favor. I agree ZZ might stop Efe early, but if it goes past the middle rounds I can see an Efe win. I'd like to see this one sooner than later. Time is not on Zhang's side.

Zhang is one of the current flavors of the month. He can beat Fury, Francis N, and just about any top HW
How? He loses a close decision to a top contender, then beats a former flavor of the month 2X. Where was this guy hiding when he was 35 and younger?

 

I can't get over how dire today's heavyweight division is. Like, yes, it's always been dire historically outside the few guys forming the point of the pyramid, but ...goddamn. Neither of these slow doofuses would be a top contender in many past eras.

 

Zhang is 40, it's now or never if he wants to get some big fights.