Zhilei Zhang, fresh off a resounding victory over Joe Joyce, eyes a co-main event spectacle against Nigerian powerhouse Efe Ajagba for the historic Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk bill. Amid the absence of confirmed undercard fights for the event, Zhang, having positioned himself as Usyk's WBO mandatory and ranked No. 4 in Ring Magazine's prestigious heavyweight rankings, eagerly seeks a prominent role on this monumental boxing card. Following his triumph over Joyce in consecutive bouts, Zhang has ascended into the upper echelons of the heavyweight division. His journey to this current standing represents a stark contrast to where he stood just a year ago, emphasizing his remarkable transformation within the sport. Zhang's resurgence stemmed from a critical period marred by setbacks. Initially underestimated, he faced skepticism after encountering a draw with American fighter Jerry Forrest, despite dominating early rounds. Subsequently, Zhang suffered his first professional defeat against Filip Hrgovic in an IBF final eliminator, a decision that many believed could have swung in his favor. However, the seasoned boxer proved resilient. At 40 years old, with the specter of a dwindling career looming, Zhang rallied against Joyce. In a stunning turn of events, Zhang secured victory in their rematch, showcasing his prowess by closing Joyce's eye in the first fight and finishing him with a devastating right hook in the third round of their subsequent clash. Now buoyed by this momentum, Zhang eyes an opportunity to further solidify his resurgence. His ambition is to feature in a showcase fight as part of the Usyk vs Fury undercard on February 17, aiming to deliver a compelling co-main event spectacle alongside Efe Ajagba, promising an explosive clash that could steal the spotlight on this historic boxing card.

In the lead-up to their anticipated December 9th showdown, Regis Prograis' strength coach, Evins Tobler, makes bold claims about Devin Haney's clinching tactics. Tobler asserts that Haney's habitual clinching won't deter Prograis, warning that any attempt to hold will result in Haney hitting the canvas repeatedly. Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) has gained a reputation for adopting a clinching-heavy style, akin to John Ruiz, effectively neutralizing opponents' power and offense. Tobler acknowledges this strategy's success, attributing it to Haney's opponents' smaller size and lack of proper training to counter clinching. However, Tobler questions whether Prograis, the WBC light welterweight champion, can handle Haney's clinching techniques, considering his size advantage. Tobler confidently states, "There won't be any clinching. If Haney tries, he'll hit the floor," indicating Prograis' preparedness to counter Haney's holding. However, Prograis has not showcased proficiency in maneuvering through clinches throughout his career. This prompts curiosity about his adaptability when faced with Haney's clinching strategy, especially as the welterweight-sized Haney attempts to disrupt Prograis' offense. Haney's consistent use of clinching against opponents like George Kambosos Jr., Vasily Lomachenko, and Jorge Linares leads Tobler to predict repeated attempts at clinching during their impending clash. Tobler boldly predicts that Prograis will counter Haney's clinching by tossing him to the canvas, although the feasibility of executing such moves within professional boxing regulations remains uncertain. Prograis, confident in his power and size advantage, dismisses Haney's punching ability, emphasizing Haney's lack of knockout victories. With speculation about Haney's vulnerability to Prograis' punches due to his past experiences against smaller fighters, the narrative builds toward a potentially explosive showdown on December 9th. Despite media predictions favoring Haney to defeat the 34-year-old Prograis, citing Prograis' struggles against Danielito Zorrilla last June, the Prograis camp remains resolute. Prograis himself remains unfazed by external opinions, confident in his ability to present a different challenge for Haney compared to his prior opponents. As the countdown to the December clash intensifies, the spotlight shifts onto whether Prograis can indeed counter Haney's clinching tactics and utilize his size and power advantage to secure a decisive victory, setting the stage for an intriguing battle between two formidable boxing talents.

The much-anticipated heavyweight unification bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk might not unfold as planned on February 17 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Retired former super middleweight champion Carl Froch, now a pundit, casts doubt on the event, suggesting Fury's potential withdrawal due to concerns about his physical condition and preparation. Fury, 35, faced unexpected challenges against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in October, securing a disputed split decision win in a 10-round non-title bout. Usyk, 36, also encountered his own struggles when dropped by a body shot in the fifth round against Daniel Dubois, eventually winning in the ninth round. These bouts stirred discussions about both fighters' ability to take hits. Froch voiced concerns about Fury's physique, hinting at a need to shed weight and ensure optimal conditioning before the fight. The retired champion expressed skepticism about Fury's readiness, hinting that the bout might be postponed until March, citing the boxer's desire to relax and spend time with his large family during the festive season. Fury's father, John Fury, shares similar apprehensions, emphasizing the need for more time to fine-tune Tyson's physical shape and strength. John observed a perceived decline in Tyson's physical condition in his recent fights and stressed the necessity of addressing these concerns to ensure his son enters the ring in top form for the significant clash against Usyk. The uncertainty surrounding Fury's physical readiness has cast doubt on the scheduled February showdown. Despite the fervent anticipation within the boxing world for this unification fight, voices from the Fury camp raise legitimate concerns about his conditioning and the potential necessity for postponement to ensure a more prepared and formidable Tyson Fury steps into the ring against Usyk.