Zhilei Zhang was essentially left for dead. In 2021, he was forced to settle for a majority decision draw against longtime journeyman Jerry Forrest. He also suffered the first loss of his career, albeit controversially, against Filip Hrgovic one year later. Zhang did sandwich in a few wins in between but they were against fighters that never came close to fighting for a world title, never mind winning one.
Ultimately, when the Chinese native was given the call to take on Joe Joyce, most weren’t giving him much of a chance. Joyce (15-2, 14 KOs) was on the verge of his own title shot and routinely ran over his competition. Zhang was expected to show up for his gaudy check, take his beating like a man, and head to the back of the line. However, as a stone-faced Zhang sauntered through the Copper Box Arena earlier this year, he was all business.
It was a fairly close fight on April 15th. That is until a ringside doctor waved things off due to the swelling protruding around Joyce’s right eye. The two did it again in five months. This time around, Zhang got rid of his man much quicker, doing so in the third round.
Now, with back-to-back big-time wins plastered to his record, Zhang (26-1-1, 21 KOs) is on the hunt for another opportunity. Of course, in a perfect world, the 38-year-old would love to get his hands on Tyson Fury. That wish, nevertheless, is nothing more than a pipe dream. With Fury set to face Francis Ngannou before an undisputed showdown vs. Oleksandr Usyk, Zhang wants the next best available opponent…Anthony Joshua fits the mold.
The former two-time unified champ has rebuilt his career nicely since suffering consecutive defeats against Usyk. Presently, the 34-year-old is entrenched in prolonged conclaves with Deontay Wilder as they attempt to lock in a showdown for next year.
For now, Joshua doesn’t want to sit idly by. Instead, he believes he’ll be at his sharpest if he continues to fight frequently. Zhang, by and large, is waiting by the phone hoping and praying that Joshua gives him a call. If the hulking Britt ultimately decides to give him a ring, Andy Ruiz Jr. believes it wouldn’t be a sagacious move. Considering Zhang’s form, coupled with Joshua’s so-so showings, Ruiz has a feeling that Zhang could get the job done over his former rival.
“I think Zhang could beat Joshua,” Ruiz told a group of reporters. “For sure.”