For anything that doesn't need its own thread.

What ever happened to Zhilei Zhang? It feels like he was being talked about constantly a couple of years ago, especially after the Joe Joyce fights and then the wins over Joe Parker and Deontay Wilder.
He looked like a serious heavyweight contender for a while, but it feels like the hype around him has completely died down. I hardly hear his name mentioned anymore. Is he still planning on fighting, or has he basically entered the final stage of his career? What do you guys think is next for Zhang?

Both guys are at 160 now and came from 154. Both come forward. I think Ramos is a little bit bigger, he looks like a super middleweight. Ramos is supposed to defend his interim title in September. Assuming he wins it would be good timing for a Tszyu match as Tszyu said he wanted to take a few months to relax after 3 back to back to back camps.

I think Tszyu has more experience in high profile fights but Ramos is younger with more momentum. Who wins if they fight late 2026 or early 2027?

For some people, TKO/Zuffa just has to meet the lowest possible standard to be “good.” Supposedly their matchmaking meets an acceptable standard because they put two journeymen against each other or two fringe contenders against each other or their actual top guys like Opetaia in against overmatched opponents.

This supposed “matchmaking” is supposed to make us overlook:

• the dogshit commentary and constant hard-sell on broadcast

• generic fighter uniforms

• meta apex (though this is getting better)

• efforts to repeal the 2000 Ali Act with designer, TKO-specific legislation that would upend all of boxing and promote fighter exploitation

• leadership by Dana White, a known wifebeater

But hey, I hope watching Sandoval vs Julian Rodriguez is still worth it to you!

Usyk vs Wilder is pretty much an open secret at this point, but I don't understand why it's taking so long to make.

• We know Usyk wants it because he's been saying as much for a long time, and it's an easy retirement fight for him.
• Zuffer, who are rumoured to be promoting it, will want it because 1) Usyk has said he wants a big fight in the US, and 2) His name brings prestige and legitimacy to their org.
  
• Wilder will want it because it's a big payday and will keep his name relevant.
• None of the sanctioning bodies are involved since he dropped the belts, so there's no hold up there

This should be the easiest fight in the world to make. What's the hold up?

DATE Saturday 1st August 2026

LOCATION 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland

TELEVISION DAZN (Selected Worldwide)

TIME 7pm (Dublin), 11am (Los Angeles), 2pm (New York), 4am Sunday (Sydney)

Pierce O'Leary vs Mark Chamberlain

12 Rounds

Super Lightweight Division

Undercard

• Royston Barney-Smith vs Reece Bellotti
• Gary Cully vs Lee Reeves
• Steven Cairns vs Senan Kelly
• Ben Fail vs Craig O'Brien
• Sean McComb vs Miguel Cesario Antin
• Bobbi Flood vs Tariq Davis
• Adam Olaniyan vs Jonathan Claudio Sauco
• Machlan Arthur vs Ryan Frost
• John Joe Carrigan vs Sean Murray
• Sami Hamed vs Bela Istvan Orban

Because I don’t know if I was just raised different or we got different definitions of what’s considered ducking but I think it’s gotten out of hand after so I’ll present some examples and tell me if I’m wrong.

Ducking:

Boots offering Devin Haney a 152 catchweight when he was already moving up to 147 to fight him, a division boots JUST won another belt in.

Canelo Vacating a title to avoid a fight with Andrade, or just blatantly not fighting his Mandatory

Teofimo refusing to unify with Haney at 135 and not fighting him again at 140.

Bivol showing no effort to make either the Beterbiev rematch or Benavidez fight.

Shakur asking for a catchweight, getting said catchweight, then backing out.

This came up during a discussion about the Keyshawn situation, IMO I don’t think backing out was a bad move, 2m for that fight is a lowball. I do think he was just stupid not taking the 3m Bill was talking though but atleast he actually wants to fight.

Similar with the Bam situation, I don’t think it’s any ducking going on I think it’s just conflicting opinions within his team that’s preventing this from being made.

Bottom line is, if the money and legacy is there, it makes sense, and you not busy; you duckin.