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“I bang you. No Diddy!” Says China’s Zhilei Zhang ahead of His Heavyweight Title Showdown

"I bang you. No Diddy!" Says China's Zhilei Zhang ahead of His Heavyweight Title Showdown Zhilei Zhang, the 41-year-old Chinese heavyweight known as “Big Bang,” is set to face Germany’s undefeated Agit Kabayel this…

Zhilei Zhang, the 41-year-old Chinese heavyweight known as “Big Bang,” is set to face Germany’s undefeated Agit Kabayel this Saturday, February 22, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The bout will determine the interim WBC heavyweight champion, a pivotal step for both fighters in their pursuit of global dominance in the division.

“Big Bang” Zhilei Zhang

Zhilei Zhang has a professional record of 27-2-1 (22 KOs). He has been a prominent figure in boxing, earning accolades such as an Olympic silver medal and a WBO interim heavyweight title. Despite a recent loss to Joseph Parker, Zhang rebounded with an emphatic fifth-round TKO victory over former world champion Deontay Wilder last June. His opponent, Kabayel, boasts an unblemished record of 25-0 (17 KOs) and enters the fight with momentum after notable wins over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Frank Sanchez.

In the lead-up to the fight, “Big Bang” Zhilei Zhang made headlines with his colorful remarks during a press conference. When asked about his approach to Kabayel, Zhang quipped, “I’m Big Bang. I bang you. No Diddy!” Which caused laughter in the press conference. Kabayel responded, “He will bang me? Saturday we will see, he bang me or I bang him.”

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Zhang first gained international recognition by winning a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, becoming the first Asian to medal in the unlimited weight class. In 2014, Zhang transitioned to professional boxing, making his debut in the United States.

I bang you. No Diddy Says Chinas Zhilei Zhang ahead of His Heavyweight Title Showdown 1

Standing at 6’6″ with an 80-inch reach and fighting as a southpaw, he quickly established himself as a formidable force in the heavyweight division. He captured the WBO Interim Heavyweight title in 2023 after defeating Joe Joyce via TKO and successfully defended it in a rematch with a decisive knockout.

The fight promises fireworks as both men are known for their punching power. With the interim WBC title on the line, the stakes are high for this clash of heavyweights on the undercard of an already star-studded event in Riyadh.

Exclusive | Zhilei Zhang Backs Mike Tyson’s Return, Calls Him a ‘God of War’ in Jake Paul Match

The southpaw heavyweight striker Zhilei Zhang grew up watching Mike Tyson’s legendary boxing career. Ahead of ‘Iron’ Mike’s boxing…

The southpaw heavyweight striker Zhilei Zhang grew up watching Mike Tyson’s legendary boxing career. Ahead of ‘Iron’ Mike’s boxing showdown with Jake Paul, ‘Big Bang’ Zhang has no doubt who he’s backing in this matchup. In an interview with LowKickMMA and AceOdds, the Chinese-born athlete discussed Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul.

Zhilei Zhang on Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul

China’s Zhilei Zhang has collected illustrious across his career such as Olympic Medals and the WBO interim heavyweight strap. Currently, the 41-year-old is ranked in the top five in heavyweight boxing after his dominant knockout win against Deontay Wilder.

China's Zhilei Zhang scored a huge knockout win against the former boxing world champion Deontay Wilder, but now every heavyweight is scared to face him. pic.twitter.com/PvoeaI60S7

— Timothy Wheaton MMA (@TimWheatonMMA) November 9, 2024

‘The Problem Child’ Jake Paul took his YouTube celebrity status and transitioned it into a lucrative boxing career dispatching former UFC fighters in the ring. ‘Iron’ Mike is a legendary heavyweight boxing figure who collected world titles in the 80s and 90s with his iconic knockout power.

Soon, Jake Paul and Tyson will face off in a professional boxing showdown on November 15, which can be watched live on Netflix.

Ahead of this matchup, Zhilei Zhang offered his prediction for Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson. He said:

“I know a lot of people have their own opinions on this fight and whether or not it should happen, but in my opinion, I watched Mike Tyson’s fights growing up and he’s like the god of war in my mind. Now in his 60s, he’s fighting with a guy in his 20s, which is an incredible achievement already when you’re losing. I really hope for the best for him and I wish him the best and good luck.”

After his KO win against Deontay Wilder, many heavyweights are not interested in facing the knockout power of ‘Big Bang’ Zhilei Zhang. But the top-five-ranked athlete is still seeking an opponent in the near future.

Exclusive | Zhilei Zhang on the Double-Edged Sword of Wilder KO – Heavyweights are Scared ‘They don’t want to fight me’

Earlier this year, China’s Zhilei Zhang scored a huge knockout win against the former boxing world champion Deontay Wilder,…

Earlier this year, China’s Zhilei Zhang scored a huge knockout win against the former boxing world champion Deontay Wilder, but now every heavyweight is scared to face him. ‘Big Bang’ Zhang spoke with LowKickMMA and AceOdds for an interview to discuss his most recent win.

Zhilei Zhang Knocks Out Deontay Wilder

As an amateur, the southpaw Zhilei Zhang won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and bronze medals at the 2007 and 2009 World Championships. As a professional, Zhang has compiled an impressive record of 27 wins with 22 of his victories coming by knockout. At a towering 6’6″ the former WBO interim heavyweight title holder packs serious power.

Despite suffering a loss to Joseph Parker in March 2024, Zhang bounced back with a notable victory over former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in June 2024. But now, back in the top five, after his major win, most other heavyweights at the top are too scared to face him. Speaking to him in an interview, Zhilei Zhang explained:

“It’s a double-edged sword. The good thing is after I lost to Parker in March, I was kind of out of the mix, but with the victory, I was back in the mix again. That’s the good thing about it. It put my career right back on track.

“The negative side is that after knocking out Wilder, people look at me like, he’s from another planet. They don’t want to fight me. They look at me like somebody they want to avoid at all costs. That puts me and my team in a difficult position in terms of looking for opponents and securing big fights. I really feel like the elite heavyweights should just come and face me and just let it be done.”

Zhilei Zhang On His Future

‘Big Bang’ Zhilei Zhang is hoping maybe Riyadh Season with Saudi Arabia and Turki Alalshikh can make some choices to help move this heavyweight title picture along. He continued:

“I think it’s really smart for his excellency to put everything together. Obviously, we’re benefiting from it but at the same time, they are making fights that we would normally never get to see. They made a lot of fights that we can only dream about and this is really such a good thing.

“Also on the other side, Riyadh season is the big push behind everything, I think they made the whole world realise what a wonderful country Saudi Arabia is. People are looking at Saudi Arabia as the centre of professional boxing and of sports as well.”

The top-five-ranked Zhang has a close eye on the upcoming rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. He said that he would happily face either one, the Chinese-born athlete added:

“I’ll do it now. Without hesitation.”

China's Zhilei Zhang scored a huge knockout win against the former boxing world champion Deontay Wilder, but now every heavyweight is scared to face him. pic.twitter.com/PvoeaI60S7

— Timothy Wheaton MMA (@TimWheatonMMA) November 9, 2024

Exclusive | Zhilei Zhang Picks Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury Winner and is Ready to Face Both ‘Without Hesitation’

Chinese boxing star Zhilei Zhang will have a close eye on next month’s highly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk…

Chinese boxing star Zhilei Zhang will have a close eye on next month’s highly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.

In May, Usyk scored a split decision victory over ‘The Gypsy King’ in Saudi Arabia to become boxing’s first unified heavyweight world champion in more than two decades. On Saturday, December 21, they’ll run it back in what will likely be one of the biggest rematches in the history of the sport.

Hoping to face the winner is the WBO’s No. 2 ranked heavyweight contender, Zhilei Zhang. Winning a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Zhilei has amassed an impressive 27-2 record as a pro and is coming off perhaps his biggest win yet — a fifth-round TKO against former WBC heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder.

In an exclusive interview with LowKick MMA courtesy of AceOdds.com, Zhilei revealed who he believes will come out on top when Usyk and Fury run back their critically acclaimed scrap this holiday season.

“I hope Usyk wins because I’m a fan of his style,” he said. “I really like the way he boxes, but let’s see if Tyson Fury makes his adjustments.”

Zhilei Zhang is ready to fight either Usyk or Fury ‘without hesitation’

As for who he’d rather face, it makes no difference to Zhilei.

“Yeah, of course, I’ll do it now,” he said when asked about facing the winner. “Without hesitation.”

Zhilei scored a sixth-round TKO against Joe Joyce in April 2023 to win the interim WBO heavyweight title. He then successfully defended the belt in a rematch with Joyce five months later before surrendering the gold to Joseph Parker in March via a majority decision. He has since bounced back with his dominant showing against Wilder — a victory that has all but guaranteed him a shot at the winner of Usyk vs. Fury 2.

Boxing star Zhilei Zhang trains with Alex Pereira, claims he can take heavyweight Title: ‘He has the power’

Fan-favorite heavyweight boxing star, Zhilei Zhang has claimed former training partner, Alex Pereira can achieve a heavyweight title success…

Fan-favorite heavyweight boxing star, Zhilei Zhang has claimed former training partner, Alex Pereira can achieve a heavyweight title success in the UFC – due to his immense power, despite confirmation from Dana White how a bout with Tom Aspinall is not on the promotion’s radar.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion and the current undisputed light heavyweight gold holder, has been sidelined from action since he took main event honors at UFC 303 at the end of June – headlining the International Fight Week event on short-notice.

And turning in a second career win over Czech Republic native, Jiri Prochazka, Pereira flattened the former undisputed light heavyweight champion for the second time since November last, courtesy of a huge high-kick stoppage win.

UFC champ Alex Pereira on battling addiction: 'Sport saved me, Now I want to help others’

While he is yet to book his return to action in the time since, Pereira has been vocal in his desire to fight once more before the end of the year, however, this week, the above-mentioned, White confirmed how a long-mooted interim heavyweight title fight against Aspinall would not be on the cards for the Sao Paulo native yet.

Zhilei Zhang backs Alex Pereira to take heavyweight championship

However, according to Chinese heavyweight boxing star, Zhang, if Pereira wanted to make good on a potential move to the heavyweight ranks in the pursuit of a stunning third championship win in the promotion – he has what it takes to succeed.

“He’s (Alex Pereira) a good boxer,” Zhilei Zhang told MMA Fighting. “I can tell you he has good reflections, he has good speed and good power. I watch him fight a lot, in UFC, he kind of dominates everybody standing, and striking,”

“I think he has it,” Zhilei Zhang said of Alex Pereira’s power at heavyweight. “I think he has the power to translate to heavyweight.”

Zhilei Zhang lands massive fifth round KO win over Deontay Wilder in huge victory – Highlights

Chinese heavyweight favorite, Zhilei Zhang has turned in the most impressive and high-profile victories of his professional boxing career…

Chinese heavyweight favorite, Zhilei Zhang has turned in the most impressive and high-profile victories of his professional boxing career to date — laying waste to former WBC world champion, Deontay Wilder with a monstrous fifth round KO win.

Zhang, a former WBO interim heavyweight championship winner himself, had been sidelined since earlier this year, dropping a majority decision loss to common-foe, Joseph Parker back in March in Riyadh.

As for Wilder, the veteran former WBC world heavyweight titleholder succumbs to strikes for the third time in his illustrious heavyweight career, following a pair of consecutive knockout defeats against former world champion, Tyson Fury in the pair’s distinct trilogy.

And dropping his second consecutive defeat following a prior return to winning-ways with a knockout win over Robert Helenius, Tuscaloosa native, Wilder himself suffered a decision loss to Parker last year in Saudi Arabia.

Linked with a potential retirement tonight with a fourth career loss in his main event clash with Zhang, Wilder was felled in the fifth round of his headliner with the Henan native — who produced a thunderous hook knockdown, leading to a massive knockout victory.

Tag: Zhilei Zhang