Zhilei Zhang ‘feels young’; Agit Kabayel hoping ‘small world title leads to big one’

BY BOXINGSCENE STAFFThis Article has been curated by UDBN

February 18, 2025

The boxers rolled into Riyadh on Tuesday for the grand arrivals ahead of Saturday’s bumper event in Saudi Arabia – and so did the interim belts paraded as something they’re not. No matter, the fights are what counts and the matchmaking on this bill, featuring the likes of China’s man mountain Zhilei Zhang versus Germany’s Agit Kabayel in a heavyweight clash,

is typically top drawer for Riyadh Season.

The vacant WBC interim heavyweight strap has been attached to the contest, even though full fat champion Oleksandr Usyk remains active and uninjured, so Zhang-Kabayel essentially serves as an eliminator.

“It’s a small world title,”Kabayel admitted. “Maybe after the small world title comes the big world title.”

The 32-year-old, 25-0 (17 KOs), has found Riyadh a happy stomping ground in his two most

recent outings when he surprised many with consecutive stoppage victories over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Frank Sanchez to breathe life into a career that had previously threatened to go stagnant.

“I like being the underdog,” he said, even though he’s the favorite this time. “The underdog will shock the world again.”

Zhang, at 41, is riding good form of his own. After being outpointed by Joseph Parker in March last year he rebounded to stop the fading Deontay Wilder in five rounds just three months later.

“It means a lot [to beat Wilder] because, after the loss to Joseph Parker, it means I’m coming back.”

The charismatic veteran, 27-2-1 (22 KOs), promised to have an answer for “whatever Kabayel brings to the table.” And age, at least in this fight, will not be a factor.

“I don’t know how high I can go but, as of now, I’m feeling young,” he said.

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