“Talk about a great pairing of nicknames — “The Bronze Bomber” versus “Big Bang” Zhang. This is a fight that demands a knockout ending, and according to the oddsmakers who have Zhang a slight favorite, one has the right to assume they’re most swayed by the difference in punch resistance that favors Zhang as well as Wilder’s dismal performance against common conqueror Joseph Parker, a man Zhang floored twice before losing on points. If Zhang lands his lethal left cross on Wilder’s chin, especially early, there will be no opportunity for Wilder to exploit Zhang’s biggest weakness, stamina. That’s what happened in the Joe Joyce rematch and the pick is that Zhang’s “Big Bang” will be enough to take out the “Bronze Bomber.”
The clash of styles between Zhang and Bakole, coupled with the significance of the fight being held in China, where the heavyweight boxing is market is still untapped, could make this one of the most significant bouts of the year. Zhang’s growing popularity in China, combined with Bakole’s newfound momentum, could create a blockbuster event that not only excites fans but also shifts the power dynamics within the heavyweight division.
Zhang’s wife, Jiang Huanhuan (蒋欢欢), is a retired starting pitcher for the Henan provincial softball team. They met in 1998, started dating in 2000, and married in December 2006. They have a son, born 2010. Zhang rarely visits his wife and son in China due to problems re-entering the United States.
On August 25, 2022, Hulu released a biographical drama limited series about Tyson, entitled Mike, depicting his life and career. On August 6, 2022, Tyson spoke out about the series, saying, “Hulu stole my story” and telling the service that “I’m not a n****r you can sell on the auction block.”
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In 2020, while Zhang made a rare visit back home the day after Chinese New Year, his father died of a sudden cardiac arrest at home during COVID-19 lockdown in China. Zhang mistakenly believed his father to be choking and attempted the Heimlich maneuver to no avail.
“A really tough one to call because it’s really hard to tell where Wilder is at. Prior to the Joseph Parker fight I’d have said Wilder as Zhang ain’t that hard to find and Wilder’s power is devastating. Now, obviously ring rust would have been a factor for Wilder’s poor showing but also Joseph Parker’s movement and self-belief were also factors. On top of that, listening to Wilder in interviews, he seemed like a guy that was on a spiritual journey trying to find himself. Now whilst that might make him a better person, it probably strips him of that vicious streak you need as a fighter. In summary, from what I can gather from the outside looking in, I don’t think Wilder really wants to box anymore and is most likely cashing out, so I go with Zhang by KO, but obviously Wilder only needs one clean punch so who knows?”
Both heavyweights are reeling from upset decision losses to Joseph Parker in Riyadh. Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs) was routed by Parker in December; Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KOs) floored Parker twice in March but was still defeated.
After moving to the United States in 2014, Zhang rarely visited China to see his parents, wife and son (born 2010 ) because he had to reapply for single-entry working visa every time. After a fight in China, he failed to get a visa and was stuck there for ten months between October 2018 and July 2019, missing a fight with Andriy Rudenko scheduled for November 2018 in Monaco. He was stuck for too long and asked his manager to terminate his housing lease and sell his car in New Jersey. He missed another fight scheduled in March 2020 in the United States after attending his father’s funeral. His flight scheduled for February 3, 2020, was two days after the United States implemented a COVID-19 travel ban on Chinese citizens. The 37-year-old Zhang had to wait another eight months for his next bout on November 7, 2020, with Devin Vargas on the undercard of the WBC lightweight title fight between Devin Haney and Yuriorkis Gamboa.
But there was something about the simplicity of it. The focus needed to hit a small target. The repetition required to get good at it. “Soothing,” is how Zhang describes it. So a couple of times a month Zhang drives to the range and fires a box of bullets at paper targets hanging 25 feet away.
Zhilei Zhang semble avoir ciblé son prochain adversaire. Le champion WBO par intérim en titre était parmi les rares poids lourds de premier plan à ne pas être invité lors de la soirée « Day of Reckoning » à Riyad, en Arabie Saoudite. La tête d’affiche était Anthony Joshua, ancien double titre…
“Today belongs to me,” Zhang said through a translator after punching the air and shouting, “Chinese power”. “… I’m 39 years old, but I’m disciplined. I train hard. Next step, I’m going for the title.”