Just by sheer size and mass they are slower than the smaller HWs but they make up for it by impact force.
Good matchup, Zhang has faced better opposition but Bakole looked very good against Anderson. Hard to call this one.
Bakole stops Zhang mid-rounds. Unlike Joyce, Bakole is fluid, has good handspeed, knows some defense, can counter punch and there's a legitimate power threat coming back at Zhang. Zhang can always land a bomb early cause Bakole isn't that hard to hit and Zhang is an accurate counter puncher, but I favour Bakole to get through the early rounds while investing in the body and then taking a gassed Zhang out.
I want to say Zhang. Bakole is really there to be hit for an accurate, educated fighter with decent handspeed. Unless he seriously worked on his stamina, he won't outhustle Zhilei either.
Zhang by KO. Bakole's come forward style will get him in trouble against Zhang's left hand. Bakole isn't hard to hit and Zhang hits like a truck with his single punches. Don't forget that Zhang is a southpaw and it's hard to see southpaw punches coming. I think Zhang will find a home for his left hand early and take Bakole out before Zhang's stamina becomes an issue. If the fight goes more than 6 rounds, then Bakole will have a good chance to stop Zhang. First 6 rounds, I favor Zhang. Last 6 rounds, I favor Bakole.
Zhang gets there first It's that simple...and how Bakole handles it...can anyone handle it? Bakole can box long....but to get out of the way of that straight left early doors is very very hard unless you're a class operator like Usyk or Fury....but even them two will have trouble. I hope the Saudi's don't execute Bakole or Zhang against one another.
Zhang wins this for me. His straight left down the pipe is one of the best in the game and is hardly slow. His handspeed is actually impressive for his size and build.
I got Zhang but a Bakole victory isn't out of the question. I figure Zhang is just gonna have an easier time countering him and unlike Anderson has more than enough power to hurt him.
Toss up for me. Depends on form on the night and how much Zhang will have aged. Both in top condition now and I lean toward Zhang's accurate punching stopping Bakole by rds 6-8, but wouldn't be surprised to see Bakole outlasting him either. Close one.
This is fight I most want to see by a country mile. All the little divas can go play tiddlywinks on faceyspace and count their millions. This is the fight.