Zhilei Zhang UD Juan Goode - Post fight review

Heavyweight Olympic medalist Zhang Zhilei survives a 4th round knockdown scare to win a close UD.

Going into this fight not much was expected from Zhang's opponent from Michigan, Juan Goode. Juan 6"1' and 244 lbs was himself a late replacement on the card, expected to showcase the emerging HW prospect from China.
The round started well enough, Zhang managing to put leather on his opponent more or less right away lead left hands rocking Juan's head back a few times. After a similar round 2, the third round saw Juan exert more effort to get closer to Zhang and smother his work with aggression.
 This tactic payed off in the 4th when he managed to take advantage of a lazy jab and a low hanging left hand, to guide a wide looping hook on the mouth of the Chinese fighter sending him onto the canvas.
Zhang, to his credit got up right away and probably did some of his better work of the fight landing a few hooks and an uppercut, but the round belonged to Juan 10-8, and the final scores were 38-37 x3 Unanimously.

Listening to the commentary from ring magazine experts Steve Kim and Doug Fischer, refer to Zhang as "light on his feet" and "Agile" left me scratching my head... I wouldn't really describe the big 261 lb Zhang as being particularly mobile with his legs, and honestly his hand speed is nothing to be envious of either.

And again the issue of his age (32) got bought up, with suggestions that he needs to be moved along quicker and how he doesn't have much time to waste. But like I've said before (In my preview below) 30's is young for a Heavyweight, because this division is about Size, Strength and Power. The Inverse of things like Speed, Skills and Reflexes which is the case for the lower weight divisions.
If he were a Bantamweight it would certainly be an ominous sign, but he's always going to be big (6'6) and strong.

If this fight proves anything, its that Heavyweights are a different kettle of fish and a fighters are not ready till they're ready. Zhang clearly needs more work in every department stamina, technique, pacing, etc.

He still has time to work the issues out, but he has to start now.

Zhilei Zhang on Cotto-Canelo undercard 11-21-15

Zhilei Zhang fights this weekend on the under card of Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez.

Introducing himself to new fans in America and for the 1st time in Las Vegas, "Big Bang Zhang".

A Chinese heavyweight of some notoriety who trains out of New Jersey. Not to be confused with the even bigger 7ft "Taishan" Dong.
Zhang is a 6'6 " southpaw looking to carve a niche for himself in the American heavyweight landscape.

This his latest outing since August when he fought Dennis Benson, a fight he won by TKO although suffering a cut that required stitches to close. Three months later he finds himself in against Juan Goode, a limited heavyweight from Michigan who is expected to give some rounds.

Only hardcore boxing fans, who pay attention to the World Amateur Boxing scene would have heard of Zhang before now. My assessment of him is that he has some potential due to the experience he's had fighting top level amateurs in the Super heavyweight division (+91kg).
He's been in with the likes of Solis, Dychko, Pfeifer, Kuzmin, Savon, Camarelle, Parker and of course Anthony Joshua who he lost to at the London Olympics.
He didn't win many tournaments despite his Olympic pedigree, usually placing 3rd or 4th at the finals, and he has been knocked down before suggesting the big guy may be chinny. Also he's fairly slow on his feet (even for a heavyweight).

Although on the plus side he can certainly crack, he throws a nice southpaw left and can hook with his right hand to the body or head. He's also not afraid to fight on the inside with uppercuts from both hands. Its obvious that he's been schooled well on fighting left handed, I'd describe his style as a Technician/Puncher.

A few people have made note of his age, 32 suggesting he may have started too late. I'm not so worried, 30's is fairly young for a heavyweight, because in this division its mainly about the Size and Power. These two abilities tend to stay with heavyweights well into their 40s (Vitali, Wlad, Foreman, etc)

All in all he's a decent addition to the rapidly Globalizing heavyweight division of 2015, there is a lot of potential big name match ups for him down the line, against former Amateur foes (Glazkov, Joshua) or current and former World Champs (Wilder, Stiverne)

Most importantly he's a legit Asian heavyweight with some REAL skills and experience to give it a shot, unlike the circus acts of Taishan Dong or Junlong Zhang.
Will he make it to the top or not? At this stage its unclear, but one things for certain, Zhilei Zhang will make his mark as East Asia's premier heavyweight in the years to come.

Wang Zhimin + Fanlong Meng - Andre ward under card - 6-20-15

Of the Chinese boxing talents currently on the scene, two lesser known but far better prospects fought last week at the Oakland arena on the Andre Ward under card.

It was the outing for the light heavyweight Fanlong Meng and super lighweight Wang Zhimin.

Meng up 1st against a very "padded" cruiserweight Alvin Avina, who's waistline looked as bad as his record (3 Losses).
 For the 1st minute and a half Meng took no time to dig hooks to the soft belly of his opponent,
who was either unable or unwilling to cover up his midsection.
Between the next round, trainer Diego Rosario encouraged Meng to open up on his over matched opponent, and 10 seconds into round 2 Avina was up against the ropes. 20 seconds later the fight is waved off by referee Lou Moret.

Up next, Wang Zhimin comes out the the chords of Nirvana - Smells like teen spirit. Opposite him Jose Guzman of the Bronx.
Interestingly the pre-fight announcement of Wang's record happened to include his semi-pro WSB record?! (9-1-0).
The two meet in the center of the ring, Jose clearly the taller of the two. After slipping a few punches Wang has his opponent against the ropes and throws a neat left uppercut through the guard of Jose who drops on one knee and takes the count. A few moments later another left hand forces Jose to the canvas but he's up again. He does a bit better this time of keeping Wang from getting inside with the jab and some movement, but not for long. A right hand fells him for the 3rd time an the fight
is off.

Not a particularity challenging fight for either guy, but nonetheless necessary for Meng and Zhimin to get their careers rolling forward.

Results: Mohegan Sun Casino -1/17/15- Wang, Meng, Zhang

Undercard matchups featuring:

Zhang Zhilei vs Perry Filkins*  (Zhang W TKO 1)

Wang Zhimin vs Kin Moy (Wang W UD 40-36, 39-37, 39-36)

Meng Fanlong vs Marcellus Yates (Meng W MD 40-36, 40-36, 38-38)


*Perry Filkins was a late replacemant for Andrae Carthron

1/17/15 - Wang Zhimin and Meng Fanlong debut

2015 starts the year with the intriguing, joint debut of 2 Chinese boxing prospects, Meng Fanlong and Wang Zhimin.

Both fighters are promoted under the newly established boxing company, Dynasty Boxing, formed by longtime promoter Dino Duva (son of trainer Lou Duva) and overseen by new partners Tommy and Terry Lane (sons of referee Mills Lane).

The arrival of both these fighters will go unheralded by most casual boxing observers unfamiliar with the development of the Chinese Pro boxing scene, currently being spearheaded by dual gold medalist Zou Shiming under Top Rank.
However the commencement of the career of these two Fighters marks something of a shift in this strategy, Whilst Zou was chosen for his Olympic star power and familiarity in the Mainland, these two contenders were guided here on the basis of their potential to succeed as Professionals, (both have workable Pro styles) unlike Zou Shiming who already faces the limitations of a long career spent as an Amateur.
More significant is their desire to compete in America, at the stacked and loaded weight-classes of Super-Lightweight (140lbs) and Light Heavy (175lbs). Which means their progression in the ranks may have a better chance of altering the landscape and capturing attention of the wider Western market. As opposed to the 112lb Shiming who fights exclusively in Macau.

A brief rundown of the two fighters:

Meng Fanlong a tall, lanky southpaw with a wide variety of punches. He can fight off the back foot and counter, he prefers to box and his signature punch is the check-hook. Interestingly he has bought his original Trainer on board, a man who has guided him up to now and was a former Amateur boxer himself. Coach Ma Jingwei.

Wang Zhimin a Boxer-puncher who fights out of a shell, has good footwork and can lead with hooks from left and right. He has experience as semi-pro boxer competing in the World Series of Boxing a few years ago, winning the Championship and actually qualifying himself for a position at the 2012 Olympics. Alas, a change in the regulations regarding his eligibility for the China National Team left him without a place and the opportunity to participate. It is good to see him finally turn pro.

The beginning of the journey of both these boxers marks the start of a wave of Chinese fighters looking to make their mark on the world stage, it will be interesting to observe how they progress separately, but toward the same path of world title contendership.