Anthony Joshua now has a target on his back once more having rebuilt well in 2023 with three victories over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin.
Many contenders now want a shot once more as the Brit looks to become a three-time world champion and one man in particular who is keen on the ‘AJ’ fight is 40-year-old Chinese heavyweight, Zhilei Zhang.
‘Big Bang’ fought and lost to Joshua back in the amateurs. He had a big 2023 himself, with impressive back-to-back knockout wins over Joe Joyce to ensure he kept his mandatory status with the WBO and very much put himself into the picture for more big fights.
Speaking to FightHype, Zhang explained why he should be next for the Brit.
“When you look at Joshua’s potential fight with [Fillip] Hrgovic it doesn’t make that much commercial sense. If he comes to me the whole of China, the UK and the Middle East would be watching.”
He then calmed the fact he is a southpaw makes it another good reason to get it on.
“Joshua’s previous opponents have been southpaw, Usyk’s southpaw, Otto Wallin’s southpaw, he’s comfortable and really been good at beating southpaws and I’m a southpaw so let’s get it. Credit to Parker, but I want Joshua next.”
It is fair to say this fight would generate plenty of interest around the world and would represent a stiff challenge for Joshua. His promoter Eddie Hearn has said he will be back in March, and Zhang is one of the names on the table.