Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang has labelled the Fury Vs Ngannou fight as being similar to “A college student against a kindergartner.”
Despite Zhang believing that Ngannou has zero chance against Fury, he understands why the lineal heavyweight champion has gone down this route.
Zhilei Zhang on Fury Vs Ngannou
Speaking to BoxingScene.com through a translator, Zhang said, “Ngannou doesn’t even have a puncher’s chance. It’s a college student against a kindergartner.” Zhang continued, “Money talks. You get $30, $40 million for a fight like that, you have to do it. It’s no problem.”
There was a time within the last twelve months where Zhang was touted as a possible opponent for Fury following his win over British heavyweight Joe Joyce. Zhang remains confident that that fight will still happen, “We were pretty close to making the Tyson Fury fight. Until Joe Joyce activated the rematch clause. It was a roller coaster because, for me, (fighting Fury) was my ultimate goal. And I was that close to getting there. Al of a sudden, Joe Joyce activated the rematch clause. But we deal with what we have in front of us. After beating Joe Joyce again, the roller coaster is still going up. We can still get there.”
The Rematch
The big Chinese heavyweight entered himself into the top echelons of the heavyweight division with a huge victory over Joe Joyce in London last April. ‘The Juggernaut’, Joe Joyce was looking to force his own way into the heavyweight title picture with a win over Zhang. His plan unfortunately unravelled and he was stopped by Zhang in the sixth round.
Joe Joyce suffered severe swelling on his right eye due to numerous left hands from Zhang. This gave referee Howard Foster no choice but to call an end to the contest despite Joyce claiming that he was fit to continue.
The contract, as we see so frequently and frustratingly in boxing, had a rematch clause, in the event that Joyce were to lose. ‘The Juggernaut’ activated the clause, leaving Zhang no choice but to fulfil his contractual obligation. The two will meet once more at the OVO Arena in London on September 23rd.
Zhang, who’s only loss was a controversial points defeat to Filip Hrgovic will look to put Joyce in his rear-view mirror with a repeat performance. Joyce, will look to avenge his only professional defeat to date and return himself to the heavyweight title picture.
Joyce has beaten much better opposition that Zhang, including standout wins over Daniel Dubois, Carlos Takam and former world champion Joseph Parker. That however, won’t deter the big Chinese heavyweight. It was a comprehensive victory last time against Joyce and a win will put him right into title contention.
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