Zhilei Zhang discusses Tyson Fury’s cut and provides update on training camp
Zhang: “The cut does present an interesting element [to the fight]”
WBO Interim heavyweight champion Zhilei Zhang spoke to Gambling.com about the rearranged fight between divisional rivals Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on May 18.
The 40-year-old former Olympian also provided an update on his training camp for his March 8 date with Fury’s close friend and sparring partner, Joseph Parker.
“Big Bang” Zhang said, “It’s hard to say. Every fighter is different with how long cuts take to heal. It really depends on the person. But I do think Tyson Fury has enough time to heal and find sparring. If I were him, I would be very careful to find trustworthy and understanding sparring partners.
“The cut could factor into the fight, especially if it’s an older cut that has opened. It’s possible it could open again. Oleksandr Usyk could target the eye, but he would also have to expect that Tyson Fury would have a strategy to protect the eye or have a strategy to use Usyk’s aggression towards the eye against him. The cut does present an interesting element.”
The Chinese powerhouse then provided an update on his training camp for Joseph Parker, “Camp has been going very well for me. I feel strong, and I’m working hard with my trainer, Shaun George, on a game plan. I am confident in a victory, but I’ll keep specific predictions to myself for now, but I believe I am going to put on a show alongside Joseph Parker.
“I’m very excited to fight in Saudi Arabia. His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh, has a big vision and he is a man who is executing that vision for the benefit of boxing fans worldwide.”
Both Zhang and Parker enter the fight off the back of big wins, with “Big Bang” stopping the durable Joe Joyce twice and the New Zealander dominantly defeating the fearsome Deontay Wilder on points.