In conclusion, Zhang Zhilei is a heavyweight boxer who has earned himself a place among the world’s top boxers in his division. His 24-1-1 record and 19 knockouts attest to his incredible athleticism and ultimate power. With an upcoming title fight against Joe Joyce, boxing enthusiasts and fans across the globe are looking forward to witnessing the fight and perhaps see if Zhilei can add a title defense to his impressive record.
Shortly after the Olympics, Dino Duva was invited to Beijing to consult for the Chinese Boxing Federation. In Zhang, he saw not just talent but unprecedented ambition. At the time, Chinese boxers didn’t turn pro. Few of the country’s athletes did. “When you’re a national athlete in China, you get treated very well,” says Duva. “You’re supported by the government. They support your family. They give you bonuses and pay you well. But if you decide to make the move to become professional, they cut you off.” Zhang, Duva says, wanted more.
The more George watched, the more he liked. Zhang had size, sure. But he also had speed. Athleticism. Slashing power. After the meet, the Chinese coaches invited George to a camp in the Poconos. “They liked my philosophies,” says George. With the 2010 Asian Games around the corner, the coaches asked George to come to Beijing to work with their top prospects.
Wilder fires back and Zhang staying in the pocket. Rough-housing inside and Wilder is playing a dangerous game. He finally pivots out. But Zhang puts him into the corner again and rips to the body. Wilder cannot get backed up like this. Zhang’s size is too big a weapon in there.
Zhang moves him to another corner. Wilder is gunshy. He’s not throwing. Now he sends one and it makes Zhang cover up. But too few. Great lead right hook from Zhang as Wilder stepped out. He keeps getting moved to the corner though and he’s not throwing enough. When Zhang is out-working you, that’s a problem.
Aside from titles, his boxing bucket list includes a mega fight with Anthony Joshua in his home country, where he last laced up around five years ago. The two met at the 2012 Olympics, with Joshua dropping and outpointing him before going onto Gold medal glory.
Round 2: Wilder trying to hold the center a little more to start this round instead of retreating to the corner easily. Wilder tries a right hand as Zhang lands a left to the body. Neither man is jabbing. Zhang gets Wilder to the corner and tags him! Uppercut lands and Wilder covering up here.
If this had been the ultra-aggressive Joe Joyce that Parker was fighting, he likely would have folded as he did in their fight in 2022, but Zhang showed poor stamina from the get-go and rarely threw anything.
Following Zhang’s victory, reports stated that a bout between himself and Tyson Fury were being discussed. On 29 June an immediate rematch was announced for 23 September at Wembley Arena in London, England for the same title. Tyson Fury took to social media to offer Joyce sparring following the announcement.
The battle of two heavyweights with a proven track record to take on all comers was spent largely at close quarters. Parker, No. 4 at HVY, was subtle in his movement but not nearly as successful early as he was throughout his December 23 points win over former WBC heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder in this very venue. China’s Zhang, No. 3 at HVY, kept the former WBO heavyweight titleholder in his desired punching range and landed the more telling blows.
Referee Howard Foster stopped the fight in the sixth of 12 scheduled rounds at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday night after the ringside doctor had twice inspected Joyce’s puffed up right eye, which was almost closed.
Zhang Zhilei, the Chinese heavyweight boxer, has firmly positioned himself among the top fighters in his division after spending over 7 years in the professional boxing ring. Born on March 3, 1983, he made his debut in August 2014 and has since contended in 26 fights, winning 24 of them, while losing one and drawing the other.
The American earned landslide scores of 98-92, 100-90, 98-91 over late replacement Wildheart for the WBC interim lightweight title, which moves Mayer closer to a shot at undisputed world lightweight champion Katie Taylor, who fights England’s Chantelle Cameron on May 20.
Wilder is settling in this round a little better. He’s staying in the middle more and has thrown a few right hands. Still mostly lead hand shoving, but this is better. UGLY jab from Wilder and Zhang lands a left to the body. Wilder ducks a left from Zhang. Credit where due, his defense has been pretty good. But it’s all he’s showing.
For the most part, Wilder looked sluggish and didn’t land much of anything as he attempted to score his patented power punches. This allowed Zhang to take control early on and set Wilder up for a finish in the fifth. Zhang connected on a big right hand during an exchange inside that badly hurt “Bronze Bomber.” Wilder was stunned and oddly turned around and started to walk away from the action. Zhang quickly chased him down and scored a final right hand that put a stop to the main event.