I don't think he looked that bad vs Kabayel he won a few rounds and scored a heavy knockdown. Its just Zhang has always had suspect stamina and Kabayel didn't give him a moments rest. Zhang can still beat some notable names it's just Kabayel is a unique Heavyweight with very good workrate who is a fantastic body puncher. Infact in recent memory I can't think of another Heavyweight who goes to the body as much as Kabayel. In just 6 rounds Zhang must of been hit with like 100 body punches which is kind of insane for a Heavyweight of that size. Put Zhang in with the likes of Bakole he can still score KOs.
It’s a shame we lost our chance at the first Asian heavyweight champion, I don’t think he would beat Usyk or Dubois but he has a better chance against the latter. A Joshua retirement fight would be the perfect ending especially if Zhang gets revenge from the Olympics.
Kabayel being a lot younger and with his skills and smarts as well as his elite body punching style was always going to cause problems for Zhang,I had predicted Kabayel could beat Zhang but he had to fight with caution whilst sinking those body shots in as often as possible,however I did not think he would take the fight to Zhang as early as he did or be so dominant in his performance .
Zhang punches like a train but getting a 41 year old with his dimensions fit enough for elite level combat is almost impossible now. He’s a 5 round fighter at best. Zhang vs Chisora could be a very entertaining send off for both of them.
If he can't beat Euro level fighters, he should really retire. Zhang would have lost against Konstantin Airich yesterday!
If he's not retiring then he best retire a few hundred pounds off his gut if he wants to have any semblance of a gas tank at his age. Take a cue from Beterbiev and Usyk. Evidently, the Foreman approach isn't cutting it.
Zhang with a Bakoles engine ( which is a decent engine but nothing special), would be the heavyweight GOAT
His massive weight combined with old age is probably why he's having stamina problems in the first place. At 41, he'll have to work twice as hard as his peers to improve his stamina, especially with those old worn out joints creaking under the pressure of his huge frame. Outside of PEDs, I really don't see any sort of resistance of of his career or improvements in his athleticism outside of strategically picking favorable opponents who can't handle his power early.
Many people avoid going to the body of big punches for fear of getting nailed by a sweeping uppercut or hook as they dip low. I agree it's an obvious wide open target, but your timing has to be perfect.
think he still has a couple of entertaining nights in him but his chance of a title shot is probably done now. bakole fight would still be interesting.
Never got the hype around the guy. Say what you like, there's never been a period in his career when Zhang wasn't slow as dirt and did not gas after 30 seconds.
It’s that he started actually being promoted properly and got exposure. I feel bad for the guy. Could have had a much better career overall if someone had noticed years ago that he’s very marketable. It doesn’t matter that he barely speaks english, check out all the PR stuff leading up to this fight, he was hilarious and everyone loved him. “I’m big bang. I bang you. No diddy.” hopefully he can have another couple decent undercard fights and at least earn enough to retire comfortably back in China. I’d hate to see him reduced to fighting tomato cans on DAZN fight night undercards deep into his 40s to pay his rent.