Zhilei Zhang interview: ‘Tyson Fury is a disgrace to boxing – shame on him’
F
ew in the direction of the highest finish of the heavyweight division have had a extra productive 12 months to this point than Zhilei Zhang.
Granted, that isn’t a very aggressive discipline. The sport’s greatest males have produced little to get enthusiastic about over the previous seven months – the 2 fighters holding world titles haven’t thrown a punch in anger in 2023. One struggle, one win and a WBO interim belt is sufficient for Zhang to have bettered the efforts of lots of his friends.
Tyson Fury has usually been the frequent denominator within the division’s frustrations. Months of negotiations over an undisputed struggle with Oleksandr Usyk introduced no optimistic consequence. Andy Ruiz Jr was deemed too costly. Demsey McKean was bizarrely touted as an possibility. And there was the virtually comforting familiarity of ultimatums, deadlines and social media rants earlier than the faint prospect of an Anthony Joshua showdown as soon as once more collapsed.
Zhang has opted for that more and more unpopular of issues: motion contained in the ring. Having suffered a primary skilled defeat towards Filip Hrgovic in controversial vogue final summer season, the 40-year-old put that behind him with a sensational display to stop Joe Joyce in April.
Even Zhang has not solely averted the melodrama although, with Fury not too long ago providing to spar with Joyce and put together him to “chop [Zhang] down like an old oak tree” within the rematch. Fury almost had the prospect to take action himself, earlier than Joyce exercised his possibility for a shot at revenge.
“My team were in conversations with Tyson Fury’s team, we were very close to making that fight before the rematch clause was activated,” Zhang tells Standard Sport, through Free Bets.
“I believe that fight is going to happen, one way or another.”
Zhang should beat Joyce once more on September 23 at Wembley Arena earlier than that turns into a practical possibility. A month later, Fury will make his return in Saudi Arabia towards Francis Ngannou.
The former UFC heavyweight champion final fought 18 months in the past, has by no means had knowledgeable boxing bout and won’t choose up Fury’s WBC belt even when does he pulls off a monumental upset. Zhang is unimpressed.
“When you look at Tyson Fury – he avoided Joshua, he avoided Usyk,” Zhang says. “He chose to fight somebody who has never been in the ring before.
“[Ngannou] is a novice, he’s just turning pro. Yes he’s a UFC champion and I have respect for him, but when it comes to the ring it’s a different story.
“So Tyson Fury I think is a disgrace to the sport of boxing. Shame on him.”