Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel, Feb. 22, 2025

Zhilei Zhang is a big man, standing at 6 ft 6 in and weighing about 290 pounds. There’s no question that for a big man, he hits like a big man. Despite doubts about his stamina and skills, Zhilei Zhang has triumphed over Deontay Wilder and twice defeated Joe Joyce. He fought former WBO champion Joseph Parker and lost a close majority decision. Between the two fighters, there’s no doubt Zhang has faced better competition than Kabayel.

Agit's skill as a fighter is undeniable, but Zhang's size advantage will be difficult for him to match; to recuperate in the later rounds, he will find himself in a predicament and possibly get knocked out by the 6 ft 6 in Chinese man.

During the early rounds, whoever manages the pace must use effective ring generalship and strategies. Zhang must continue to utilize his forty-pound advantage, unlike his previous fight against Joseph Parker, where he became too comfortable and overlooked the remaining rounds, resulting in a majority decision loss. In other words, he got too lazy. He cannot let that happen with Kabayel.

Agit Kabayel is a German heavyweight of Kurdish descent, weighing 241 pounds and standing at 6 ft 3 inches with an 80-inch reach. He is undefeated and currently the WBA Continental and WBO-NABO heavyweight champion. With 25 fights, he is undefeated, sporting a 68% knockout ratio. He has all the skills to beat Zhang, but it must be noted that he may not be able to KO him because of Zhang's granite chin. This puts Kabayel in a position where he must be cautious with Zhang's forty-pound weight advantage. For a man of Zhang's size who hits hard to begin with, his punches have a lot more power. Agit needs to find a way to neutralize Zhang's size advantage. He can do that by using the ring in its entirety.

Zhang's ability to adjust should not be underestimated either. He adjusted in the fight against Wilder and Joyce, two excellent fighters. His speed is underestimated as well. He has long arms, but he doesn't use them fully, opting to throw short, crisp punches that make him faster than people think he is. This is why all of a sudden, he knocks people down. Even Joseph Parker got caught by surprise in round 3, and he is a better fighter than Wilder and Joyce at this point in their careers. Zhang did it again in round 8 with an innocent-looking hook. How strong is Zhang? He's strong, really strong. To put it in perspective, he knocked one of the best heavyweights down with a jab and a light hook that hit him faster than he anticipated. 

Parker is the better boxer than Kabayel, Wilder, and Joyce, but arguably Zhang beat him who didn't get the decision; however, Zhang beat Wilder and Joyce pretty handily.

Agit is a talented boxer, but he must not take for granted the forty-pound advantage Zhang has. If he thinks he can try to corner Zhang like he does every other opponent, he is mistaken. Forty pounds is a lot of weight difference to be trying to push an opponent onto the ropes consistently.

This won't be a popular prediction, but in light of the disadvantages and advantages both fighters have, and despite how close this fight may become, I am forced to pick Zhilei Zhang as the winner of this upcoming fight.

Zhang wins by decision, as his size will most likely be the factor that makes the difference. This was a tough one to predict. 

The fight is scheduled for February 22, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.