Chinese heavyweight giant Zhilei Zhang indicates that he’s ready and willing to face WBC world champion Tyson Fury in the month of July.
Fury’s return is being geared to take place on the tentative date of July 22 at Wembley Stadium. He last saw action back in December, when he battered and stopped Derek Chisora in their trilogy fight.
Earlier this year, Fury’s handlers were attempting to finalize an undisputed fight with WBO, IBF, IBO, WBA champion Oleksandr Usyk. The two sides were trying to get a deal done for late-April, but ultimately they were unable to agree on the terms.
A few weeks ago, a big shift took place in the heavyweight ranks when Zhang shook up the division with a stoppage win over Joe Joyce, who was the WBO’s mandatory challenger to Usyk.
Because of that win, the 2012 Olympic silver medalist has become a frontrunner to face Fury in the coming future.
Zhang embraces the idea of that fight and explains that his handlers have already begun discussions.
Both Zhang and Fury are promoter by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.
“I just came back from my vacation, so everything is fresh to me. I believe that my team has made communications with their team on that matter,” Zhang told IFL TV.
“Let’s do it Tyson. If you’re looking at July, I’ll be ready for you in July.”
There is a possibility that Joyce will exercise his option to an immediate rematch clause, but it seems more likely that he’ll take an interim bout before running it back with Zhang.
Former unified champion Andy Ruiz had recently re-shared a poster on social media, which claimed a fight with Fury was going to happen on July 22 – but Fury’s handlers have denied that information.