A reminder of what happened to Zhang the last time they clashed. Would Joshua pull the trick again against this comeback-Foreman level version of Zhang? Or does Sheldon give him the Big Bang treatment? My opinion is in the thread title, but what say you?
AJ would beat him. I think he underperform in his last 2 fights, but he will rise to the occasion. But the fight won't happen for obvious reasons. Zhang is mandatory, and while he is Usyk mandatory he wants and calls out Fury. He wants Fury, cause he knows for 100% he can beat him, and i'm also 100% sure he will KO Fury badly, but the Gypsy Queen will do what he's do best, and that's it to duck Zhang, as he is ducking any real threat.
That was the old Joshua, pre Ruiz and pre Usyk Joshua, the New "tehnical boxing" Joshua gets K.O. under 6 rounds.
Zhang has gotten better in his old age by fighting more measured and looking for the right shots. Boxing isn't his strength at all. He's more effective in holding back, waiting for opportunities and countering. Slow and steady works for him.
Zhang would of course be risky for Joshua, but it's doable. The lack of aggression that he's showed over the last few years and especially last couple of fights wouldn't hamper him as much against Zhang as it would against for example Fury. In fact against Zhang he needs to be cautious and pick his spots. In this case it will probably favour Joshua the longer it goes, since I think he has the better gas tank, which is not something you say about him every day (I think it has gotten underrated, though). But Zhang will be looking to get in the ring with Fury and then Usyk. Fully understandable. Joshua is always a risk with his abilities and one Zhang doesn't need to take when he's on the cusp of a title fight. I'd love if Fury is shamed into facing Zhang and gets knocked out, paving way for a showdown between Zhang and Usyk. Probably won't happen, though.
Zhang knocks him out currently. Zhang would find a home for that sneaky left hand early and that'd be all she wrote. AJs defense hasn't impressed me at all lately. I don't really think a fight from 11 years ago matters much. Mihai Nistor KO'd AJ the year before that but I doubt anyone would pick Nistor to beat AJ today.
Easy day in office for Joshua. People have to realize that Joshua is still na number 2 in division behind Slavic prophet and king Usyk.
The bodybuilder would be so overwhelmed by Emperor Zang's power. He would jump out the ring and flee to the gym. There's no stopping the Chinama now...
Maybe, he was clearly a level above Zhang as an amateur. Joshua's style is more problematic for Zhang, with his movement, even this cautious Joshua would match up well against the counter punching Zhang as he wouldn't give Zhang the leads to counter and would be forced to chase and try to cut off the ring as Joshua won't make the mistake of going at the counter puncher. Joshua probably wins a decision. But I doubt this fight happens anytime soon. Joshua is looking at Wilder and probably won't risk it while that's still on the table.
