Corrie Sanders vs Zhilei Zhang

Corrie got stopped on fatigue versus Rahman (questionable) and Vitali. If you want to pretend that he was a lesser fighter than Nate Tubbs, go for it. Zhang wouldn’t even line him up though.

 

"He got (excuse) and also (excuse) and Zhang (lie)"

You dodged the comparison with Parker because you know that Sanders wouldn't be able to survive like he did, lol.

The Tubbs loss is perfectly fair to put into the conversation, he had already beaten guys like Du Plooy and Cooper at that point. He was 23 - 0 but gets knocked out against some random 12 - 1 guy with no notable names on his record before Corrie.

 

Corrie would stop Zhang. Zhang totally gassed out against Parker and Parker didn’t do anything but play it safe bc he’s Parker.

I know this might shock you, but occasionally in heavyweight boxing, a guy will lose to someone inferior because of a single shot. No need to thank me as I get enjoyment out of providing life altering education for free.

 

Zhang has gassed out about much more dangerous opponents than Parker and still hasn't been stopped regardless.

Yes, a guy will lose to someone inferior because of a single shot. This is boxing after all. And that's why Sanders would lose.

Zhang isn't the one getting stopped against inferior fighters like Tubbs or Rahman. Sanders is.

 

Zhang didn’t blow out Wlad Klitschko. I’m guessing you think the speed difference between Corrie and Joyce is something to ignore.

 

"Zhang didn't blow out Wlad" cause that has a lot of bearing in this convo. Sanders got his best win by blasting out a guy KNOWN for having a chin not worth ****, and you think because he did that and because of his speed, he'd get through the guy who's taken hits from Joyce, Hrgovic, and Joshua without going down- While surviving despite the fact that his chin is basically asking for Zhang to put him to sleep.

"I'm guessing the speed difference between Corrie and Joyce is something to ignore." I'm guessing the fact that Sanders got straight up knocked out by nobody Nate Tubbs is something to ignore.

You have some of the worst takes I've ever seen about heavyweights.

 

Wlad was far more evasive than Zhang and had far better stamina. Didn’t matter.

 

Parker was far more evasive than Sanders and has far better stamina. Didn't matter.

 

Exactly because it would end early. Glad we’re finally on the same page.

 

Me, too. Zhang in 2.

 

The best guy who Zhang stopped within 2 was some guy named Scott Alexander.

 

I guess Sanders will get a new title. "Best guy Zhang has stopped in two".

 

The only way I see Corrie winning is by early KO, and I don’t see any way that happens.

He never beat a meaningful foe over 10 or more rounds. All his KOs save two came in the first three rounds — a guy with a losing record lasted to the fourth and journeyman Marshall Tillman made it into the eighth.

Zhang’s never been KO’d and he’s fought some good punchers. Sanders’ four losses are ALL by KO.

I think Corrie’s gas tank is more suspect than Zhang’s. He’d rather play golf than work out. I think it showed over the course of his career. Zhang may look tired at times but he keeps fighting.

And then there’s the fact that Sanders got KTFO by Nate Tubbs.

Zhang by KO, but if by some happenstance Corrie goes the distance Zhang still take it down the stretch.

 

One of the more intriguing heavyweight fights I've seen proposed on here compared to most of the heavyweight shite on here doled out on a daily basis (no offence lads).

Sanders is a bit of a favourite of mine where the heavys are concerned. Any man who gloriously splatters Klitschko into a gibbering wreck while being an overweight, lazy mess is worthy of having a pint with imo, not to mention being by all accounts a splendid bloke outside the ring.

I'd probably say though that despite him being a far superior athlete to Zhang and effortlessly fluid natural puncher with the more aesthetically pleasing punch delivery and combinations.....Zhang was probably the more technically refined within his limits and defensively responsible of the two of them despite being far slower and more plodding. Given that he also had a comparable punch and sense of timing to Corrie while not being too far behind in terms of his hand-eye co-ordination and with a clearly superior chin, I think I'd probably back him in an early to mid rounds firefight, though he'd probably need to get the job done fairly pronto before his stamina inevitably fizzles out. Unless it's a ten round fight, in which case his chances of holding on for a decision improve should he fail to knock Sanders out.I

In spite of what often gets said about Sanders offensive strengths, I don't think he was a well-rounded or skilled fighter despite throwing lovely punches. He was very upright all the time and defensively naive with his chin in the air when throwing punches with both hands. Poor defensive technique and reflexes other than using his legs to circle and bounce out of harms way, and very open to being beaten to the punch by even sub-world class moderate fighters who he couldn't blast out, or who had enough nous when coming forward not to openly be walked into his fearsome left. Even the likes of the mighty Garing Lane had success before the Tubbs disaster really highlighted the holes in Corries game, notably him being almost incapable of avoiding even semi-competent straight right leads or counters. And him looking uncomfortable trying to create openings for counter-punching if someone wasn't simply standing open in the line of fire (albeit very impressive if they were). I also think he had a bad habit of not bringing his hands back into their right position when flailing away two-handedly or trying to open up on guys. It's how he got repeatedly clocked in the Rahman despite landing plenty of his own bombs.

More likely imo that he would probably resort to giving ground and using the fairly fleet-footed if basic lateral movement and plant typical of his earlier career rather than trying to stalk Zhang. Circling at ring centre and snapping out (sometimes non-commitally pawing) triple jabs on the move, dropping down with right hooks to the body and occasionally sniping with the left while on the slow retreat. He actually showed considerably better stamina on occasion in his earlier days and was capable of staying on his toes for stretches, albeit against journeyman, undersized or past-it former household names who didn't force him to work at an uncomfortable pace. Even then he was prone to needing breathers on the ropes most rounds tbh, and like Pat said above, I think he didn't carry his power late into fights.

It is though probably one of the relatively few occasions where Sanders, especially that younger mid-nineties version, isn't at a disadvantage in terms of stamina. If he's still there after the half way point having not been out-timed into a KO loss ( a real danger) or not already having rained fire on Zhang while avoiding taking too many semi-decent counters, there's a good chance that he might get over the line on points.

He never quite seemed to develop his game throughout his career to compliment his athletic ability, or to incorporate new dimensions etc as well as lacking dedication and a drive to establish himself.

I'd want him to win but my head says Zhang based on the styles. I think Sanders might have been more of a real danger to Fury weirdly.

 

How do you think prime Wilder does against a Zhang?

Wilder would be far more active, which would lead to two outcomes. Either he catches Zhang and sleeps him, or gets himself countered and goes night night himself. Gun to my head, I’d bet on the former. Zhang’s defense is simply not great.