Zhilei Zhang wants a shot at revenge against Joseph Parker but has a back-up option in mind
WBO #3 Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang spoke to Razed about his future fight plans, other opponents he’d face, and his hopes of fighting in China.
Both he and his manager have the Joseph Parker rematch at the forefront of their plans, but are also considering back-up options while the New Zealander awaits further news from his management team.The Chinese powerhouse also viewed the Usyk vs Fury rematch and shared his thoughts on his last victim Wilder’s future in the sport.
Who is your ideal opponent next?
Zhang: “With the top guys tied up and busy, I look at Joseph Parker in a rematch as a possible option and one guy who has been on my radar is Agit Kabayel who has the ranking and the recognition with all of the organisations and is on the surge with momentum. I saw Joseph Parker upload a video saying he doesn’t know what is happening or what is holding things up so there we go. If he is interested, then let’s get it on.”
Is Joseph Parker avoiding the rematch?
Zhang: “Joseph Parker is a warrior, and I don’t think he is fearful of anyone. He definitely felt my power, but I don’t think he is scared of me or anyone. He is a warrior, and we have the rematch clause so hopefully it will take place next.”
How long is the rematch clause before it expires?
Zhang: “I believe I am still within the rematch clause timeframe and believe we have the right to negotiate a rematch in this case and this is what I want.”
Is fighting in China next?
Zhang: “It’s possible, everything is possible in terms of getting a big fight in China. Right now, my team is working with different promoters in China to get things done but everything is up in the air, and I don’t have much information but hopefully things are going to get sorted but I’m not sure right now.”
How do you see Usyk vs Fury 2 going?
Zhang: “I think at this level, at the top level, it comes down to who has better preparation for this fight. As we head into the fight, the first fight was exciting and Tyson Fury will definitely have learned his lesson and will come out better, and I expect a better version of Tyson Fury.
“When it comes to Oleksandr Usyk, he found a way to beat Tyson Fury in the first fight so he’s going to implement that in the rematch. It really comes down to who has had the better preparation and it’s a hard question to answer but I’m leaning towards Oleksandr Usyk to get the win once again and getting the job done.”
Could you see Fury pulling out of the fight? And if he gets knocked out, do you see him retiring?
Zhang: “If a fighter loses in a devastating fashion by knockout or something similar then it’s a very hard process to come back again so to answer the question, if anyone gets knocked out badly then it is hard to come back.”
Do you think Deontay Wilder should retire after taking a beating from you?
Zhang: “I think with the fight, when I put pressure on Wilder and cut the ring off, I made the ring small and it’s a lot of mental pressure. Then, I think somewhere in the second round, we were exchanging punches, and I landed a shot on him and from that point on, he definitely felt my power. That’s all of the reasons as to why he’s not the person who he was because of my strategic movement. From that fight, I planted a seed for every top heavyweight.
“I think he’s taken more punishment in his recent fights than his earlier fights but I believe it is his personal decision to either campaign at heavyweight or in a lower division (Bridgerweight) but no matter what happens, I sincerely from the bottom of my heart wish him well and that he does better and better in life.”
Do you have any pre-fight superstitions?
Zhang: “I try to shave my hair and beard the day before a fight to look sharp but other than that, I don’t have any particular superstitions, but I like to wear golden underwear at the fight night, it has to be golden all the way.”