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Zhilei Zhang gave Agit Kabayel a surprise gift during his press conference ahead of their WBC interim heavyweight title clash next month on February 22 in Riyadh.
The two-time Olympian approached Kabayel (25-0, 17 KOs) and handed him an envelope, which he opened to reveal a picture of the Chinese heavyweight. Zhilei said the gift was part of the Chinese New Year.
Predator mentality
Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KOs) and undefeated Kabayel will fight for the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 rematch in Riyadh. It’s a big fight for both heavyweights, obviously, but it could mean a little more to the 41-year-old Zhang because of his age. Time is running out to put himself in position for a world title shot against one of the two champions.
Last year, Zhang lost his interim WBO belt to Joseph Parker by a controversial 12-round majority decision on March 8 in Riyadh. The 291-pound Zhilei appeared to be on his way to an early knockout after dropping Parker in the third round, but then ran out of gas.
Parker then dominated the second half of the fight, using his skilled skills to earn an ugly decision. Zhang also knocked Parker down in the eighth round, and seemed to do enough to earn the win. The judges gave it to Parker with scores of 114-112, 115-111 and 114-114.
“I’m not a big fan of being a snake. I want to be an eagle. When an eagle sees that it’s prey, it will catch it in the air and drop it,” Zhang said during the press conference, talking about how plans to fight Kabayel.
A unique surprise gift from Zhang to Kabayel 😂🎁#TheLastCrescendo | February 22 | #Riyadh season pic.twitter.com/tXUtmyD5Ml
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) January 13, 2025
Zhilei Zhang the eagle 🦅#TheLastCrescendo | February 22 | #Riyadh season pic.twitter.com/edOGvOMLqD
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) January 13, 2025
