2025 was always going to be an intriguing year in the heavyweight division, as a host of contenders jostle for position to secure a shot at either Oleksandr Usyk or the eventual vacant heavyweight marbles. Few will be as eager to secure a world title shot as Zhilei Zhang, 27-2-1 (22 KOs).
At 41, Zhang is once again on the verge of a first crack at world honours and should get his chance if he can become the first to defeat Agit Kabayel, 25-0 (17 KOs), in a fight which he believes he is well prepared for, as a result of his clash with Joseph Parker, 35-3 (23 KOs), last year.
Following a highly controversial defeat to Filip Hrgovic in 2022, the chances of ‘Big Bang’ Zhang becoming Asia’s first full heavyweight world champion appeared minimal until back-to-back knockout wins over the previously undefeated Joe Joyce saw Zhang claim the WBO Interim strap and thrust himself back into the title picture.
However, a surprise majority-decision defeat to former WBO world champion Parker derailed Zhang’s title hopes once more, with a knockout of Deontay Wilder three months later getting him back to winning ways but leaving him still without a belt or a position as a mandatory challenger.
Thankfully for Zhang, despite initial rumours that Kabayel would face Martin Bakole in an IBF final eliminator, he and Germany’s Kabayel will battle it out on the stacked undercard of Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol’s rematch for the undisputed light-heavyweight throne.
Speaking with Boxing News, Zhang revealed that the experience of preparing for and fighting Parker should aid him well for a similarly styled opponent in Kabayel, despite eventually losing out to the New Zealander when they met 10 months ago.
“I do see a lot in common between those two guys, they are around the same height, they are both young, hungry and they are really fast,” he said.
“It [camp and preparation] should be [easier] in a way because they have a lot of similarities but at the same time, everybody is different. They are two separate individuals. In this training camp, me and my coach have already come up with game plans targeted to [overcoming] Agit Kabayel.”
Zhang-Kabayel is one of three Interim title bouts on the February 22 bill, with a further four full world title contests making up one of the strongest cards in recent memory, that can be watched live on DAZN PPV and TNT Sports Box Office.
