Zhilei Zhang is one of the heavyweight division’s danger men, as proven by two wins over previously-undefeated Joe Joyce last year.
The towering 41-year-old Chinese heavyweight is having something of an Indian summer in his career. After largely being on the fringes he has been involved in some huge contests of late.
Back in 2023, he secured an impressive double over Joyce, stopping him in back-to-back fights, firstly by inflicting such damage with his work that the doctor had to stop the fight on a damaged eye and second time around with a brutal combination that left Joyce unable to beat the count.
That put him in the spotlight and earned him a place on the historic Day of Reckoning Card in Saudi Arabia in December of the same year, though he came unstuck against Joseph Parker who boxed well and secured a points win after 12 rounds despite being put down himself.
And then came Zhang’s last fight in March, a brutal fifth-round stoppage of the former WBC champion Deontay Wilder which could well have ended the American’s career.
Zhang has now spoken to Queensberry Promotions about Joyce’s next fight against British veteran Derek Chisora and has given him his support.
“I believe that Joe Joyce is slowly coming back to himself, putting his pieces together. Chisora is no walkover, He’s a tough guy. I hope Joe Joyce can put everything together.”
In his last fight, which was his first since the losses to Zhang, Joyce beat Kash Ali by stoppage but left many fans unconvinced. If he is to ever get back into world title contention, he must look good against Chisora.
‘Del Boy’ is coming off a win against American Gerald Washington in August. Prior to that he lost two on the bounce to Parker, beat Kubrat Pulev and then lost a trilogy bout to Tyson Fury.
The all-British heavyweight clash takes place at London’s O2 Arena on July 27.
