Zhilei Zhang has proven himself a big problem for many men in the heavyweight division.
The Chinese heavyweight is something of a late bloomer. He is now 41-years-old and has had 30 professional fights after winning a Silver medal at the Olympics back in 2012.
‘Big Bang’ has won 27 of those and lost just two with one draw. Most recently he stopped Deontay Wilder inside five rounds after neutralising the American’s legendary power. Last year he twice stopped Joe Joyce in impression fashion at a time when Joyce had previously looked unstoppable.
His losses came via a majority decision against Joseph Parker after the conclusion of 12 rounds, and a controversial points upset against Filip Hrgovic while he drew with Jerry Forrest in 2021.
Since the Wilder win in June, Zhang has called out names like former two-time champion Anthony Joshua to current IBF belt holder Daniel Dubois and has also asked for a rematch with Parker. But now, American boxing journalist Dan Rafael has reported his next opponent will be 32-year-old contender Agit Kabayel.
Germany’s Kabayel has twice been European champion – once after beating Brit Derek Chisora in 2017 – and is currently highly ranked after facing and knocking out previously unbeaten prospect Arslanbek Makhmudov on the Day of Reckoning card in Riyadh last December despite entering the fight as the underdog against the feared Russian giant.
Kabayel – who famed trainer and analyst has called the heavyweight division’s ‘best kept secret’ – also beat Frank Sanchez by seventh-round knockout in May out in Saudi Arabia to win the WBC Continental Americas and WBO-NABO heavyweight titles.
Both Zhang and Kabayel were ordered to face Martin Bakole as a final eliminator for a shot at IBF Champion Dubois, however they choose this path and Bakole has now been set up against Efe Ajagba.
