I have a weird feeling that Zhang vs. Kabayel will be pretty one sided.

We all know Zhang is dangerous in the early rounds then fades off,first half of the fight Kabayel has to sink those body shots in often as possible without getting countered then second half of fight up the tempo whilst still boxing clever and put it on Zhang. Zhang has the power to win this fight but Kabayel also has the style,skills and youth to beat Zhang. I think it’s going to be a good fight .

 

Has anybody seen Kabayel Smakici? Kabayel is really untested at the world level, but unless Zhang looks old and lethargic, we might just see his level next weekend.

 

More than one possible outcome in this one.

 

Nothing is cringier than grabbing the mic immediately after a loss and making a pathetic speech instead of taking your loss like a man. Let me guess, you’re a Brit?

 

Kabayel is too easy to hit. That's not a great asset when fighting zhang, tbh.

 

The P4P top 50 have only one non-British/Ukrainan/Russian European boxer on boxrec, a guy from France I never heard of.

I don't think Kabayel will break this barrier and suddenly become a top dog.

The rest of Europe can't box on this level.

 

Something else I feel is worth noting in this hypothetical matchup, while AJ has been stopped twice, in both instances he still managed to get up from three other knockdowns before finally losing. Zhang's also shown no issue with getting people down, but when they get up I've noticed a tendency to not be able to finish the job or even follow up on it very efficiently. It's kinda like he goes "You got back up from that with your senses intact? Well **** me, you weren't supposed to do that."

I'm a huge fan of Zhang and will back him in most fights, and this one would be no different, but I couldn't say for sure he'd win it in the end. I mean I'd feel confident he'd floor AJ, but knocking someone down doesn't equal a surefire win. Just ask Joseph Parker!

 

Kabayel? bike? Have you watched him fighting? he has no clue about how a bike looks like. He's a pressure fighter, there is every likelihood that he will be cliped by zhang's right hook and left cross and go sleep a magnificent nap.

 

Styles make fights

There are only two men in HW boxing who can deal with the rest with relative ease, Fury & Usyk.

Otherwise it's a free for all every single time.

The trick with Zhang is to keep enough pressure to tire him whilst remaining very cautious for them 6 rounds first rounds. Then you have to up the pressure to a level he doesn't like where his is blowing hard and looking only for a single counter probably in the form of a left hand.

 

Part of me thinks you're right, I think this is what the 'eye test' suggests.

But

Zhang is more proven with higher quality opponents and wins under his belt.

Zhang has never not knocked his opponent down, win or lose.

Can Kabayel take a shot like Parker or Hrgovic? Those two are tough as they come.

We'll see. No outcome would surprise.

 

Sanchez was obviously injured before stepping in th ring tbh. Zhang is a different beast

 

Plus... Even at 100%, had Sanchez even proven he was that good?

Not really, no.

His best wins are really not that impressive - Hammer, Fa and (also overhyped) Ajagba.


Kabayel's best win by quite a way is still Chisora, and it's 7-8 years since he did that... He's become quite overhyped off the back of beating overhyped Sanchez and Makhmudov neither of whom have proven they're even low level gatekeeper type guys, yet.

 

I don't think he will hurt big bang, but he might box his nut off.

Big Bang is a tough customer, and Kabayel isnt a huge puncher.

Kabayel will need to throw volume for the stoppage and that means he will probably be in the danger zone lol

 

Parker isn't hard to hit but had a very safety first game plan. He still got hurt when Zhang was fresh.
Kabayel might be too aggressive and get banged

 

this is why I said he needs to get on the bike. You don’t come at Zhang for the first 4 rounds. That’s suicide.

Zhang has solid skills, a nuke for a right hand, and an h-bomb for a left hand. Oh, and an iron chin. His only real weakness is his abysmal stamina. Wait for him to tire before taking any chances.