Zhilei Zhang believes it would be a ‘disaster’ for Tyson Fury should he get his shot against him.
It’s fair to say that Fury no longer has quite the same aura around him that he did before his fight against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou. Up to that point, Fury was brushing aside all competition, including straight-froward knockouts of Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora, and two big knockout wins over Deontay Wilder having fought to a contentious draw in their first fight after a long layoff.
However, being put down in the third round by a boxing novice back in Saudi Arabia in October has now got many people questioning whether Fury is in decline or simply overlooked the challenge of Ngannou.
We shall find out for sure on February 17 when Fury takes on Oleksandr Usyk in their historic undisputed match-up. Should he get through that, WBO mandatory challenger, Zhang, will be waiting in the wings.
Speaking to Town Bizznizz sports, Zhang gives Fury the benefit of the doubt for his recent below-par showing.
“I think Tyson Fury probably never trained for the Ngannou fight. It was not the Fury we know, it was a totally different person.”
Big Bang then sent out a warning to Fury that facing him would lead to ‘disaster.’
“If you look at his career, he’s got hit, he’s got dropped, and my punches are not a joke. When my punches land, it’s going to be a disaster for him.”
Finally, he claimed that none of the big names want to fight him.
“I always wanted to get the big four names – Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder but they don’t want to fight me. They are running away from me.”
Zhang looks on course to challenge for a world title in 2024, who that will be against remains to be seen.