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Zhilei Zhang admits that he was motivated by the desire to extort money, opening the door to the Jake Paul competition

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Heavyweight colossus Zhilei Zhang admitted he would consider fighting Jake Paul in the future because it opens the door for him to a “money grab” fight. The Chinese powerhouse last fought in June when he defeated former WBC world champion Deontay Wilder with a brutal fifth-round knockout.

The victory saw the 41-year-old rebuild his reputation in the ring, defiantly responding to his defeat in March in his fight for the interim WBO heavyweight title against Joseph Parker. Despite defeating the latter twice in this contest, he lost by majority decision – thanks to his determination to re-establish his position in the weight class clearly observable in his match with Wilder.

After picking up arguably the most crucial victory of his career in his last fight, “Massive Bang” now sets his sights on a flashy fight against Paul. In an exclusive interview for Express, organized by Ace coursesresponded to speculation that he might take on the internet sensation in the future, saying: “Yes, I will. And who wouldn’t like to earn some money?

“If that happens, it will be a money grab. All jokes aside, he’s fighting Mike Tyson, who is my idol growing up. I feel like at 50, 60 he’s still there, training challenging and trying to hit with the youngsters, I feel like that’s great motivation. I wish him all the best.

Before any hypothetical fight between the pair can be arranged, Paul will face legendary former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson for the first time this month. Giving his verdict on the fight’s validity as a competition, Zhang said: “I know a lot of people have their own opinions on this fight and whether it should happen.

“But in my opinion, when I was growing up, I watched Mike Tyson fight and I think he’s like a god of war. Now, in his 60s, he’s fighting a guy in his 20s, which is already an amazing achievement. I really hope all the best for him and I wish him all the best and good luck.”

As for his own reputation after defeating Wilder, the Chinese fighter admitted that the victory potentially discouraged his peers from getting into the ring with him. He continued: “It’s a double-edged sword. The good thing is that after losing to Parker in March, I was a little unhinged, but after winning I got back into contention.

That’s what’s good about it. Thanks to this, my career got back on track. The negative side is that after knocking out Wilder, people look at me like I’m from another planet. They don’t want to fight me. They look at me like someone they want to avoid at all costs.

“This puts me and my team in a tough position when it comes to scouting opponents and securing massive fights. I really feel like elite heavyweights should just come and face me and just let it happen.”

That said, after his stunning victory over Anthony Joshua, Zhang has set his sights on fighting IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois next year. He added: “Well, definitely yes, but I don’t think it will happen this year because we are coming to the end, but hopefully in 2025 it will happen. Daniel, if you want to fight me, send me the contract and I’ll sign it right away.”

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UK Boxing

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson officially suspended after controversial fight

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Jake Paul and Mike Tyson have been suspended by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) following their highly anticipated fight. Following the Arlington fight, the pair received a mandatory minimum suspension period, which in this case is 24 days.

TDLR rules state that each fighter must rest for at least three days in each round fought. Because the YouTuber-turned-boxer and former undisputed heavyweight champion only fought for eight rounds, he will be suspended for 24 days, according to the website MMA enthusiast.

Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor also face bans. Their fight was very close and Taylor won by unanimous decision, as a result of which both stars were sidelined for over a month with a 45-day suspension.

Even though the Serrano-Taylor fight showed incredible determination and strength, the Paul-Tyson main event seemed to lack the same intensity. After the first attack, the 58-year-old Tyson appeared to tire quickly, allowing Paul to take advantage of his opponent’s waning stamina.

After eight rounds of uninspiring boxing, the 27-year-old was declared the winner by unanimous decision, with Paul paying tribute to Tyson in the closing moments of the final round. In a speech to fans after the fight, Paul apologized for not knocking out Tyson, even though he had previously promised to do so.

“I’m sorry I didn’t knock him out,” Paul said as his entourage nodded in agreement that he chose the honorable route by not beating the 58-year-old icon. He admitted to holding back his punches when he noticed Tyson weakening as the fight progressed.

“After I saw he was tired, I didn’t want to hurt him too much, but I wanted the fans to experience a good experience,” he added. Paul also mentioned that the Tyson fight felt “different” from his previous fights, emphasizing that a more composed attitude allowed him to anticipate Tyson’s moves and prepare more effectively.

“Fighting in the stadium is less personal and less deafening, so it’s less stressful on the nerves,” he noted. “Arenas are harder to fight in. Come out, I was serene, serene and collected.

“In the first round I timed his speed and managed to get his time quite quickly and saw how I could mark him and touch him. The rest was history, I just boxed him and had fun.”

With Paul’s status as a boxing headliner at one point confirmed by over 100 million viewers, the teenage fighter feels he has earned the right to fight some of the biggest names in the sport. As such, Paul is confident that with his victory over Tyson, he can become a champion within the next few years.

“I think it could happen in the next 24 months. I really, really believe in my skills, abilities and power. And the cruiserweight division is apparently open to admission on this date,” he stated.

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UK Boxing

Jake Paul was unaware of Mike Tyson’s sedate health problems before the fight

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Jake Paul and his team reportedly had no idea about Mike Tyson’s health concerns ahead of his boxing fight, even though the heavyweight icon revealed he feared for his life.

Last Friday, Tyson, 58, returned to the professional ring for the first time since 2005 to face social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul. In the fight in Texas, “The Problem Child” won by unanimous decision, although he failed to land any knockout blows during the fight.

CompuBox post-fight statistics showed that Tyson landed just 18 punches over eight rounds, landing only four of 13 robust body punches and missing none of his five jabs.

After his defeat, Tyson, a former world heavyweight champion, confessed on X that he “almost died” before the fight.

“It’s one of those situations where you lost but you still won. I’m grateful for last night. I don’t regret stepping into the ring for the last time. I almost died in June. I had 8 blood transfusions. I lost half my blood and 25 pounds in my body to the hospital and had to fight to get well to fight, so my kids saw me go head to head and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy Stadium, that’s an experience that no man has ever experienced. the thank you.”

Paul’s business associate, Nakisa Bidarian, revealed on “The Ariel Helwani Show” that he was unaware of Tyson’s health issues prior to the fight, stating: “That sentiment he expressed in that post was never shared with us. We have a doctor’s opinion reports that we talked to doctors, we never thought about it… he was close to losing his life, or whatever it was that he said in the post.

“I appreciate that there was a lot of emotion leading up to this event and I appreciate how he reflected the next day on what he had been through, but I can say unequivocally that every report we received from his team, every conversation we had, was his doctor’s opinion. “there was nothing other than to say he would be 100 percent fit to compete starting in tardy August and early September.”

Tyson’s fight with Paul was initially scheduled for July, but was delayed due to Tyson’s health problems on the plane. Tyson spoke about the terrifying experience ahead of the postponed match, revealing: “I was in the bathroom vomiting blood. I asked the doctor: “Will I die?” He said, “We have options.” Options? I couldn’t believe it. I had about eight blood transfusions.

“The doctor said I had lost half of my blood. I almost died. I lost 25 pounds in 11 days. I couldn’t eat. Only fluids. Every time I went to the bathroom it smelled of tar. It didn’t even smell… — It was disgusting.

“It threw me off [when I continued training]. All my coordination, stamina, everything was hectic on the way back. I was already at the top. I could fight him that day. Now I have to start from scratch. I just don’t give up. Sometimes I’m an asshole. I am advertising***. If I haven’t outlived my enemies, I’ve turned them into friends.”

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UK Boxing

Eddie Hearn names four potential future opponents for Callum Smith

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Smith has not fought since his defeat to Beterbiev in Quebec City (Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)

It looks like Smith has big fights on the horizon (Photo: Ed Mulholland Matchroom Boxing)
It looks like Smith has substantial fights on the horizon (Photo: Ed Mulholland Matchroom Boxing)

Eddie Hearn has mentioned four names as Callum Smith’s potential big-money fights in 2025, ahead of his return to the ring next weekend.

Smith hasn’t boxed since his seventh-round defeat of Artur Beterbiev in their unified airy heavyweight world title fight in January, and many – including Hearn – had doubts whether the Liverpudlian would fight again.

However, this week it was announced that “Mundo” would return for round eight on the undercard Sunny Edwards vs Gal Yafai November 30, and an opponent has not yet been announced.

Hearn stated that once the cobwebs are cleared next week, the former super middleweight world champion will go straight into the substantial fight in 2025.

I speak at Matchroom Boxing YouTube channelSmith’s longtime promoter teased domestic feuds with Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yard and Lyndon Arthur, as well as a clash with Dmitry Bivol.

Smith hasn't fought since losing to Beterbiev in Quebec City (photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)
Smith hasn’t fought since losing to Beterbiev in Quebec City (photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)

“He will come back after an eight-round fight, get rid of the cobwebs after the Beterbiev fight and then he will jump straight into action!

“Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yarde, Lyndon Arthur, even Dmitry Bivol.

“Any of these great opportunities at 175 pounds.

“Just one little run next week and then whoever wants.

Bivol was one of the names mentioned by Hearn (Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
Bivol was one of the names mentioned by Hearn (Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

“I’m excited. Sometimes I feel like I’ve rejoined the stable.

“We have been with Callum since his professional debut, so I am looking forward to his performance in Birmingham and then he will have a substantial fight in 2025.”

Smith looked like a disruptive force in the airy heavyweight division before losing to Beterbiev, following two previous fights that saw victories over Lenin Castillo and Mathieu Bauderlique.

His only other loss was against a pound-for-pound star Canelo Alvarez in 2020and the 34-year-old will no doubt still feel he has enough energy to pull off a substantial win next year.

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