Tag: Zhang Zhilei

Filip Hrgovic survives stiff challenge from Zhang Zhilei, wins unanimous decision

Heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic survived a stiff challenge from Zhang Zhilei to win a unanimous decision Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Filip Hrgovic had to work hard to maintain his perfect record.

The heavyweight contender survived a first-round knockdown and a determined Zhang Zhilei to win a unanimous decision on the Oleksandr Usyk-Anthony Joshua II card Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The scores were 115-112, 115-112 and 114-113. Boxing Junkie scored it 115-112 for Hrgovic, eight rounds to four.

Hrgovic (15-0, 12 KOs) suffered a flash knockdown in the opening round but it was a sign that this victory wouldn’t come easily.

The Croation outworked Zhang (24-1-1, 19 KOs) most of the fight but the Chinese fighter had effective stretches in which he landed some of the biggest shots of the evening.

However, Zhang seemed to run out of energy down the stretch, when Hrgovich outworked him to have his hand raised.

The victory bolsters Hrgovic’s chances of fighting the winner of the Usyk-Joshua rematch.

[lawrence-related id=32131,32123]

Filip Hrgovic survives stiff challenge from Zhang Zhilei, wins unanimous decision

Heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic survived a stiff challenge from Zhang Zhilei to win a unanimous decision Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Filip Hrgovic had to work hard to maintain his perfect record.

The heavyweight contender survived a first-round knockdown and a determined Zhang Zhilei to win a unanimous decision on the Oleksandr Usyk-Anthony Joshua II card Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The scores were 115-112, 115-112 and 114-113. Boxing Junkie scored it 115-112 for Hrgovic, eight rounds to four.

Hrgovic (15-0, 12 KOs) suffered a flash knockdown in the opening round but it was a sign that this victory wouldn’t come easily.

The Croation outworked Zhang (24-1-1, 19 KOs) most of the fight but the Chinese fighter had effective stretches in which he landed some of the biggest shots of the evening.

However, Zhang seemed to run out of energy down the stretch, when Hrgovich outworked him to have his hand raised.

The victory bolsters Hrgovic’s chances of fighting the winner of the Usyk-Joshua rematch.

[lawrence-related id=32131,32123]

Unbeaten heavyweight Zhang Zhilei signs deal with Matchroom Boxing

Zhang Zhilei (21-0, 16 KOs) has signed with Matchroom Boxing in a deal that sees Eddie Hearn’s firm become the sole promoter of the unbeaten Chinese heavyweight. Zhang last saw action on Nov. 30 in Monte Carlo, Monaco, with a 10-round win over …

Zhang Zhilei (21-0, 16 KOs) has signed with Matchroom Boxing in a deal that sees Eddie Hearn’s firm become the sole promoter of the unbeaten Chinese heavyweight.

Zhang last saw action on Nov. 30 in Monte Carlo, Monaco, with a 10-round win over Andriy Rudenko to kick off his third reign as WBO Oriental champion at the maximum weight.

The 37-year-old sits at No. 11 with the WBO and No. 12 with the IBF, and is currently in New Jersey training for his return to the ring in November.

“I’m very happy to enter into an agreement with Matchroom,” said Zhang. “They are one of the best promoters in the world.

“I’m the best heavyweight coming out of China. I just need an opportunity to become the best in the world which I strongly believe that Matchroom is able to provide. With each of us focused on our part, I wish a happy and successful future together.”

With the heavyweight ranks coming to life in recent years after a long dry period, Hearn is confident “Big Bang” can make an impact.

“The heavyweight scene couldn’t be any hotter right now, so this is the perfect time for Zhang to get back into action and throw his name into the mix,” he explained.

“He is ready to take on all-comers and as he aims for his 22nd win in November, the next step for Zhang then will be to face his fellow top-class contenders and get in position for a world title shot.”

Zhang is now a stablemate of current WBA (Super), WBO and IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who defeated Zhang 15-11 at the London 2012 Olympic Games on his way to gold.

On his home turf in Beijing in 2008, Zhang was able to secure a silver medal, losing in the super-heavyweight final to veteran amateur boxer Roberto Cammarelle of Italy.

“We are extremely excited about the partnership with Matchroom,” said Zhang’s advisor Terry Lane, from Lane Brothers Boxing. “He is a world-class heavyweight and Matchroom is one of the world’s premier boxing promoters. It’s a natural fit, and this puts him in the mix amongst boxing’s top big men.”

Unbeaten heavyweight Zhang Zhilei signs deal with Matchroom Boxing

Zhang Zhilei (21-0, 16 KOs) has signed with Matchroom Boxing in a deal that sees Eddie Hearn’s firm become the sole promoter of the unbeaten Chinese heavyweight. Zhang last saw action on Nov. 30 in Monte Carlo, Monaco, with a 10-round win over …

Zhang Zhilei (21-0, 16 KOs) has signed with Matchroom Boxing in a deal that sees Eddie Hearn’s firm become the sole promoter of the unbeaten Chinese heavyweight.

Zhang last saw action on Nov. 30 in Monte Carlo, Monaco, with a 10-round win over Andriy Rudenko to kick off his third reign as WBO Oriental champion at the maximum weight.

The 37-year-old sits at No. 11 with the WBO and No. 12 with the IBF, and is currently in New Jersey training for his return to the ring in November.

“I’m very happy to enter into an agreement with Matchroom,” said Zhang. “They are one of the best promoters in the world.

“I’m the best heavyweight coming out of China. I just need an opportunity to become the best in the world which I strongly believe that Matchroom is able to provide. With each of us focused on our part, I wish a happy and successful future together.”

With the heavyweight ranks coming to life in recent years after a long dry period, Hearn is confident “Big Bang” can make an impact.

“The heavyweight scene couldn’t be any hotter right now, so this is the perfect time for Zhang to get back into action and throw his name into the mix,” he explained.

“He is ready to take on all-comers and as he aims for his 22nd win in November, the next step for Zhang then will be to face his fellow top-class contenders and get in position for a world title shot.”

Zhang is now a stablemate of current WBA (Super), WBO and IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who defeated Zhang 15-11 at the London 2012 Olympic Games on his way to gold.

On his home turf in Beijing in 2008, Zhang was able to secure a silver medal, losing in the super-heavyweight final to veteran amateur boxer Roberto Cammarelle of Italy.

“We are extremely excited about the partnership with Matchroom,” said Zhang’s advisor Terry Lane, from Lane Brothers Boxing. “He is a world-class heavyweight and Matchroom is one of the world’s premier boxing promoters. It’s a natural fit, and this puts him in the mix amongst boxing’s top big men.”

Radzhab Butaev vs. Alexander Besputin: Who will take next step?

Russians Radzhab Butaev and Alexander Besputin will face each other this Saturday at the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monte Carlo.

Two highly regarded welterweight prospects will try to take the next toward title contention this Saturday.

Russians Radzhab Butaev and Alexander Besputin will face each other at the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monte Carlo. The match will stream live on DAZN and is promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions, even though Hearn does not have promotional rights to either main event fighter. Butaev is promoted by Lou DiBella and Besputin by Top Rank. Matchroom put in the winning purse bid for the fight in September with an offer of $505,555. That beat out bids submitted by Top Rank ($315,000) and Patriot Promotions ($415,000).

The fighters gathered for the final press conference on Wednesday.

“It’s a privilege to be on this show in the casino, especially as the main event,” said Butaev (12-0, 9 knockouts). “I’ll do my best to make a beautiful show, and come Saturday night you won’t regret watching. I hope it is going to be a war. I hope he is going to stay and not quit.”

Both Butaev and Besputin were standout amateurs, with 700 fights between them in the unpaid ranks.

“It’s a really good fight between to great fighters with brilliant amateur careers,” said Besputin (13-0, 9 KOs). “We both have a little bit of history. We were both in the Russian team, but we never met in the ring. I think it’s going to be a very interesting fight for the Russian fans, and many people in Russia will be watching this fight. On November 30th it’s going to be a great night.”

The undercard will feature unified welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus (35-0, 9 KOs) against Victoria Bustos (19-5, 0 KOs). This is Braekhus’ first fight under the Matchroom banner.

Undefeated Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang (20-0, 16 KOs) will take on late replacement Andriy Rudenko (32-6, 20 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Rudenko is subbing in for Sergey Kuzmin, who bowed out with an injury sustained during training. Zhang is coming off a knockout win over Don Haynesworth last year.

Heavyweight Hughie Fury (23-3, 13 KOs), hoping to rebound from his loss to Alexander Povetkin, faces Pavel Sour (11-2, 6 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

Rounding out the card, junior lightweights Joe Cordina (10-0, 7 KOs) and Enrique Tinoco (18-5-4, 13 KOs) will face each other in a 12-rounder.