Zhilei Zhang upset the odds to beat heavyweight contender Joe Joyce earlier this year, and now he has his sights set on another British fighter.
China’s Zhang and Olympic silver medalist Joyce battled it out for the WBO interim heavyweight title at London’s Copper Box Arena in April of this year, despite the fact that Zhang was coming off a close decision loss to Croatian Filip Hrgović.
‘Big Bang’ Zhang hammered Joyce with a straight left that damaged his right eye to the point that it swelled shut and the fight was stopped following inspection by the ringside doctor in the 6th round.
Following the fight, Zhang was negotiating to face WBC champion, TysonFury, but that was put on the back burner when Joyce activated his right to a rematch.
Zhang now fancies himself to repeat his victory over ‘The Juggernaut’ when the pair meet on September 23 at Wembley Arena in London.
If he does so he will maintain his WBO mandatory challenger status to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, but told CGTN Europe via Boxing Scene he would rather reopen negotiations to fight Fury.
“Our focus is still the battle with Joyce.
After Joyce, fighting with Tyson Fury would be my next target. Last time I made history, the best inheritance of history is to create new history. Creating a new history of the Chinese in the field of boxing is my mission and my original intention.
People always think Chinese boxing can’t produce heavyweight boxers, and Chinese boxing can’t compete with European and American boxing. I don’t agree. I believe Chinese boxing will definitely occupy the most central position on the international stage.”
Joyce, meanwhile, stated that, “I’m coming back to take back what’s mine. September 23 I am leaving everything in that ring. No compromises. No underestimating my opponent. Nothing but a win.”
It emerged recently that fans might have to pick between two big cards on the night that Zhang and Joyce rematch.