If you look at Zhang’s last 6 fights, the only heavyweight who took on harder fights was Usyk, and that’s largely because rematched guys he already beat 3x. Zhang’s last 6 fights: -Hrgovic -Joyce -Joyce -Wilder -Parker -Kabayel 5 fights vs contenders and 1 fringe contender. Why doesn’t Zhang get more credit for his braveness?
If i was a 6’6 280 lb Chinese Ogre with life-altering power in both fists i reckon i’d be fearless too
I started following him since he fought Rudenko, I really think if Zhang had been picked up by a big promoter and pushed more heavily earlier in his career he could’ve been a champion. But considering he only got his big breakthrough when he was 39 years of age (by agreeing to fight Hrgovic when Hrgovic was being ducked by everyone else), winning the WBO interim belt and being consistently ranked top 10 in the world by the Ring is by all means a decent outcome and a respectable career
What did OP say that was nut hugging? What heavyweight other than Usyk has fought better opposition in his last 6 fights?
Prefer Daniel Dubois' run over Zhangs. Dubois was actually the underdog in all 5 too i beileve. Oleksandr Usyk Anthony Joshua Filip Hrgovic Jarrell Miller Oleksandr Usyk Joseph Parkers latest run was against all KO artists. Fabio Wardley Martin Bakole/Daniel Dubois Zhilei Zhang Deontay Wilder
Zhang is a professional boxer and as such his courage was never at issue, at least not for me. Indeed, it's part of the job description. So, no, I'm not going to bemoan how folks are not sufficiently complimentary of Zhang's "bravery" for fighting tough opposition. I admire fighters who take on tough opponents not for their bravery, an attribute all fighters have, but for their willingness to challenge themselves. (And sorry, my guy, but titling a thread "the bravest heavyweight"? is bit of nuthuggery)
Bravest? No. Fighting father time, yes. At his age he can't afford to not fight anyone who is willing to step in ring with him.
When you arn't a big sell and time is against you heavily then you take whatever opportunites come your way... Division is so stacked even though he didn't come across a bigger fish, he came across a big fish fryer in Kabayel.
Big Bang Zhang is a savage puncher who has been able to knockdown just about every opponent he has faced but his pitiful stamina has hindered him from finishing them. The look on Parker's face after the first knockdown in that fight spoke volumes. Shot didn't look hard at all yet it got Parker's attention. Imagine if Zhang didn't have Glass Lungs.
Hes a former champion with no 0/1. At this stage of ones career fighters are looking for the big matchups they would have previously had reason to avoid.
He was a guy in his late 30's without a powerful promoter. This is prizefighting. He didn't have time to take soft touches, had to take whatever was available. Not sure he gets credit here.