Zhilei Zhang will face Agit Kabayel on February 22nd for the vacant WBC interim heavyweight title.
Zhilei Zhang, now 27-2-1, held the WBO interim title until last year when he lost to Joseph Parker on a majority decision after dropping the New Zealand man twice.
Zhang, who lost to Anthony Joshua at the 2012 Olympics, has since become the third man to beat and the second man to stop Deontay Wilder. Wilder notably gave a bizarre excuse for this loss to Zhang.
Despite being 41 years of age, Zhang remains in contention at the highest level and became known for his KO power following two devastating back-to-back wins against Joe Joyce, whose downfall was predicted by Dillian Whyte over five years ago.
His only other loss came at the hands of Filip Hrgovic, though this decision was controversial as many felt Zhang had done enough to beat the Croatian.
Agit Kabayel holds a record of 25-0, most recently defeating Frank Sanchez in round 7, after first stopping Arslanbek Makhmudov, touted as a heavyweight ‘boogeyman’ in just the fourth round.
Zhang has recently allowed Daily Mail Sport into his gym and showed how he trains with an unexpected guest.
Zhilei Zhang’s gym buddy LL Cool J sings heavyweight’s praises
Zhang has been training for this fight in New Jersey, and shares a gym with LL Cool J, the rapper who appropriately sings ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’.
Speaking on Zhang’s training, LL Cool J said: “He works like a true champion, I mean the way he gets down the way he works, I mean it’s crazy.
He really is an incredible specimen when it comes to his athleticism and his ability to get in shape anaerobically and aerobically, unbelievable.”
LL Cool J spoke on how he and Zhang have trained together: “When I was getting ready for my last tour I would train with him.”
The rapper had nothing but kind words to say of the Chinese heavyweight, concluding: “I’m just happy for him.”
Zhilei Zhang’s trainer reveals interesting technology used to prepare for Agit Kabayel
Shaun George, Zhang’s boxing coach, revealed that he uses Ray Ban Meta glasses, glasses fitted with a camera, to assist with Zhang’s training.
George says: “We do pad work with this, and you get to see his technique from my point of view, so if I’m looking at something I get to see what he’s looking at, and what I’m looking at as an opponent.”
George also spoke on Zhang’s critics, who comment on ‘Big Bang’s’ gas tank and conditioning: “I’m over it. I think everybody gonna keep underestimating us.
Everybody gonna keep saying ‘Oh Zhilei slow-footed’, that he can’t go the later rounds but then when he goes in the later rounds you see what’s gonna happen.”
Zhang is an underdog in his upcoming fight, which will take place on the undercard of Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev, and it may well be his last shot at a title, interim or otherwise.
Should he win, Zhang has stated before that he is targeting Anthony Joshua next.