Prediction: Daniel Zellhuber via Decision
Johnson still has that fast-twitch speed and sharp boxing when he’s in rhythm, but what’s always elevated that speed is his reach advantage. He usually gets to be the longer guy who gets off first and keeps people on the outside. That’s not happening here. Zellhuber is taller, longer, and straight up understands range better than Johnson does. He doesn’t just have the reach—he knows how to use it. That alone is gonna shut down one of Johnson’s biggest strengths.
The key for Zellhuber is gonna be his kicks and how he uses angles on defense. His kicking game is sneaky clean—he mixes targets, throws with no tells, and uses them to slow guys down before they even realize they’re stuck. That alone is gonna limit how quickly Johnson can close the gap. If he can’t enter clean, his speed won’t matter.
Then there’s the pace. Zellhuber doesn’t fight like a guy who’s worried about the clock or conserving energy. He builds, he adapts, and when he gets tagged, he bites down and gives it back. Johnson has always had an issue with guys who don’t go away—fighters who keep walking through the storm and start putting volume on him late. That’s the kind of matchup Zellhuber thrives in.
And let’s be real—Zellhuber’s youthful confidence borders on reckless sometimes, but that’s what makes him so damn dangerous. He doesn’t care who’s in front of him. He’ll eat a shot if it means landing three, and that stubborn pressure with technical weapons behind it is going to force Johnson to work at a pace that’s not comfortable for him anymore.