Chinese heavyweight sensation Zhilei Zhang scored his first professional boxing draw against Jerry Forrest. Zhang began the fight well and even floored Forrest thrice in the fight. But he couldn’t sustain his momentum until the final gong. Post the fight, the veteran had to be taken to hospital as he dealt with kidney issues and severe dehydration.
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With this draw, ‘Big Bang’s hopes for fighting bigger opponents in the heavyweight roster seem to get low.
Lately, his advisor, Terry Lane, was in an interview with Sky Sports. Here, he spilled some beans on Zhang’s performance last Saturday and his future ahead.
”It was apparent to us that this was not a poor performance – there was something else going on,” he said.
He continued, “He was just not the guy that we saw do 12 rounds in the gym with no problems. Our confidence level was so high two weeks ago.”
“Everybody who saw him in the gym is scratching their heads,”
Lane asserted that Zhang gave it his best shot while in the gym. He went through enough spar sessions and prepared himself pretty well. However, when it came down to the wire, ‘Big Bang’ certainly did not show up his true self inside the squared circle.
Zhang protected his undefeated stint, but he predominantly distanced himself from securing fights with mammoth heavyweight opponents.
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Should Zhilei Zhang give a thought on retirement?
Zhang, 37, exhibits a substantial pro-boxing resume of 22-0. He has hung around the sport for a while but never fought for the heavyweight world title. Although he’s claimed a win in every fight, the past couple of years he has not been his best.
With gruesome injuries from his last fight and his age being a factor, ‘Big Bang’ might not get his title shot soon.
Moreover, if he wishes to fight for the ultimate strap, Zhang will have to beat top-notch heavyweights constantly. For that, the Chinese heavyweight will put himself in a vulnerable position and he might end up deteriorating his career with injuries.
That said, ‘Big Bang’ should give a thought on retirement or fight considerable opponents to signify his legacy.
What do you make of Terry Lane’s statements? Is it finally time for Zhang to hang his gloves?
