AFTER contrasting performances against Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder in the first-half of 2024, longtime heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KOs) found himself in a healthy position.

It wasn't quite the heights he enjoyed following successful stoppage victories in his two-fight series with Joe Joyce the year prior, but the 41-year-old southpaw knows time is of the essence if he wants to finally realise a dream of becoming a full world heavyweight champion.

A third consecutive Saudi trip awaits next month, as the Chinese southpaw next takes on Agit Kabayel (25-0, 17 KOs) looking to seize another contender's unbeaten streak and the WBC interim title.

Longtime EBU European champion Kabayel burst onto the world scene after stoppage victories in Riyadh over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Frank Sanchez, both previously-unbeaten contenders, though Zhang presents a different test.

At Monday's press conference unveiling the full Last Crescendo card, headlined by the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch on February 22, Zhang's head trainer Shaun George spoke to the Ring in a reflective mood about lessons learned from 2024 and what's to come.

Parker seeks to become a two-time world champion facing Daniel Dubois and that chance could well have gone to Zhang, had he not suffered a majority decision defeat by the Kiwi last March.

George revealed he's torn when predicting a real 50-50 but called Dubois a "real breath of fresh air" and like many, wants the in-form Brit to prevail.

Zhang scored knockdowns in round three and eight, but his inability to land often enough in the second-half proved key, being outworked down the stretch of a fight he should've won comfortably with two 10-8 rounds banked.

Parker threw 76 more punches and landed 26 more in total, was more accurate and connected on 47% of his power punches per Compubox. On what was wrong that night, George was honest.

"There was a lot. He's got to stop underestimating opponents, celebrating when the fight isn't over, he understood that immediately and the mistakes he made, cutting the ring off, closing the distance, working better technically and on his defence. Zhilei lost it more than Parker won, we had it in our hands and I was looking forward to the rematch but things played out differently."

As for former long-reigning WBC world titlist Wilder, who he stopped with a hellacious right hand in round five of their Queensberry vs. Matchroom main event on June 1, George was bullish about the victory before adding where he'd like to see the American go next.

"People said it was a 50-50 fight and all of a sudden, now it's a faded Deontay? Everyone will make excuses to defend their opinion, Zhilei handled his business, took away Wilder's right hand, closed the distance and the show too.

Wilder should only continue if he and his team truly think so, I wanna see the Joe Joyce fight, they're both of the same level now - loser-leaves-town matchup is a fun UK headliner."

On the topic of other Americans, Jared Anderson (17-1, 15 KOs) also returns next month after Martin Bakole (21-0, 16 KOs) inflicted his first pro defeat last August on a Riyadh Season show at Los Angeles' BMO Stadium.

The 25-year-old will feature in a 10-round contest with Greece's Marios Kollias (12-3-1, 10 KOs) on the undercard of Keyshawn Davis' world title tilt against WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk.

George deemed the Bakole defeat as right fight, wrong time and isn't giving up hope for Big Baby.

"He's still an incredible talent, just underestimated Bakole. Everyone in boxing circles knew who he was but Jared didn't do his homework, maybe it was the money - can't turn down $3m - he's still a young heavy with a bright future."

Perhaps predictably, he dismissed Bakole's chances of becoming world champion with the concussive Congolese puncher set to box Efe Ajagba in a final IBF eliminator next. While George isn't overlooking the next challenge, they've got bigger ambitions than Bakole or Kabayel could present.

"Zhilei is handling that business right now. Martin is talking a lot, pricing himself out, had an opportunity to box Agit and he priced himself out, then wants to call out Zhang? Zhilei doesn't duck, he'll fight whoever and the opportunity will come. We want Oleksandr Usyk at the end of 2025."