Zhilei Zhang has switched allegiances for the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois.
Usyk has silenced all of the best Britain has to offer in the heavyweight division, as well as beating Tony Bellew in his final fight down at cruiserweight to defend his undisputed crown.
After that, he moved up and has beaten Derek Chisora and twice bested Anthony Joshua across 24 rounds to become a unified three-belt champion. He then scored a majority decision win over Tyson Fury in May 2024 to add the WBC belt and be crowned undisputed king – the first in the division since Lennox Lewis back in 1999.
In between fighting Joshua and Fury, Usyk stopped Dubois inside nine rounds, but not before some controversy when a shot from ‘DDD’ had him down on the canvas but was ruled low by the referee.
Following that loss, Dubois has kicked up a gear and beaten Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, all in impressive KO fashion. He is the ruling IBF champion and puts that belt on the line this weekend at Wembley, which means that should Usyk win, he will be two-time undisputed heavyweight champion and an undeniable all time great.
Speaking to iFL TV, Zhang – who was close to a title shot himself befor being setback by a loss to Agit Kabayel – was asked how he saw the fight going. The big southpaw from China sided with the youth and power of Dubois.
“I used to be a fan of Usyk’s style. I still am, but this time I’m favouring Dubois.”
The winner will soon have to turn their attention to mandatory challengers with the WBO’s Joseph Parker first in line. ‘Big Bang’ Zhang will soon looking to be get himself back into a top position after successful elbow surgery.
