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.
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