Zhang's engine is the issue here for me. It might be competitive for the first half of the fight...I'm not sure it would be, but it might be, but Vitali batters him from the 6th on because of the pace of the first 6. I genuinely think Zhang is a wee bit overrated because of his wins over an admittedly 'prime' Joyce and a shot Wilder.
I would say a repeat, but when Zhang touches Vitali like Sanders did, he knocks him out. I don't trust his stamina tho.
Got to love how Zhang suddenly can KO anyone with certainty. Yes, he can hurt guys, and clearly has lots of power, but plenty have been able to handle that power. Vitali had a great chin, I don´t see how Zhang could KO him with a single shot. Sanders couldn´t even put Vitali down.
Parker and Joyce aren't exactly huge punchers though. Zhang got dropped by Juan Goode early on in his pro career. Touched the canvas quite a few times in the amateurs too.
Why was he banned? For spitting facts? I expect to be banned after Fury beats usyk I may get banned before then. The mods love the Eastern fighters Oh to answer the thread, gotta go with Viatli decision
I don't know where all this hype for Zhang comes from TBH granted he has decent technique and good power but his workrate is abysmal and he has no stamina in the 2nd half of a fight. Zhang hit Hrgovic with everything but the kitchen sink and couldn't stop him and Hrgovic is certainly not on Vitali's level.
Zhang's chin hasn't really been tested either though he dominated Wilder, Joyce, without ever really being hit. Hrgovic has some power i guess but Dubois also took about 40 right hands from Hrgovic without ever being troubled so does Dubois have an iron chin aswell ? I don't think so. If Hrgovic can survive Zhang and win a decision then Vitali certainly could and win in more dominant fashion aswell.
Vitali clear win. Crazy how some are now touting Zhang as some unbelievably hard hitter who'd KO a HW with one of the best chins we've seen.
Initially I thought “Another Vitali vs Sanders” but I actually think Vitali would absolutely cruise to a late stoppage or UD in this one. Yes Zhang is a powerful lefty but he doesn’t have the freakish hand speed Corrie had nor does he blitz guys like The Sniper. Zhang throws shots mostly countering and no more than 2 maybe 3 punches in short bursts. Vitali would see Zhangs shots coming all night and also had a gift of being able to feel/sense shots coming the micro second they are thrown. Big reason why he was never dropped. Plus his iron chin of course. Zhang is crafty enough to land his left here and there but wouldn’t be able to be as sneaky with it against Vitali. That thudding right hand of Klitschko’s would find the mark consistently. Vitali by late stoppage.