Zhilei Zhang says he’s ready to show the world he’s more than an underdog when he meets Agit Kabayel on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Chinese heavyweight, fresh off an impressive stoppage of Deontay Wilder eight months ago, calls himself an "executor" who can adapt to any style his team prepares for.
The 41-year-old Zhang rebounded from a majority decision loss to Joseph Parker last March by scoring a fifth-round knockout against Wilder, claiming it was the biggest victory of his career. Now, he hopes to build on that momentum against an unbeaten Kabayel who has fought only three times in the last two years, including a KO win over Frank Sanchez. Zhang acknowledges Kabayel’s different approach, saying his trainer, Shaun George, and conditioning coach have a plan ready for the German’s style.
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Kabayel’s unbeaten run and recent stoppage victories make him a tough challenge, but Zhang isn’t letting the odds bother him. During a chat with Fight Hub TV, he mentioned that he’ll rely on the same diligence and focus from his previous training camp. According to Zhang, the key is about executing a specific strategy rather than worrying about who’s favored to win.
With a month until fight night, Zhang is set to return to intense training, fully aware that Kabayel's unbeaten record will draw attention. However, Zhang believes his experience, power, and confidence from the Wilder win will carry him to another upset.
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