Councilor Zhilei Zhang: “My favorite name is Derek Chisora. Joe Joyce is also a fighter we like. Let me say it like this; there is no name that we are trying to avoid. ”
Last Updated: 23/02/21 6:10 am
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Sky Sports experts in 2019: Zhilei Zhang needs to step up!
Sky Sports experts in 2019: Zhilei Zhang needs to step up!
Zhilei Zhang would be in danger of his perfect record against British heavyweight in the UK “for the right opportunity” and she has confirmed Derek Chisora and Joe Joyce with names.
Undefeated Chinese rival Zhang is aiming to extend his record to 23-0 against Jerry Forrest on Saturday in Miami, on the undercarriage to fight world title Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez with Avni Yildirim.
“We’re looking to step up against a big name,” Zhang councilor Terry Lane said Sky Sports.
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“We want a name that draws more attention to Zhang as he does not yet have a big name for his résumé.
“My favorite name is Chisora. Joyce is also the fighter we like.
“Let me say it like this; there’s no name we’re trying to avoid.”
Zhang is now fully promoted by Matchie Eddie Hearn and, while his career is based in the US, he wants to fight in front of his UK-based Chinese fans, Lane says.
“More boxing fans in the UK are taking over among the Chinese community,” he says.
“Any boxers, golfers or athletes are global these days so we would definitely be looking at the UK.
“We have no doubts about that. The sand under our feet is constantly changing but, for the right opportunity, let’s do it.”
Could Derek Chisora be the test that Zhang needs?
Zhang eventually lost the Anthony Joshua award at the London 2012 Games – four years earlier he had won money in Beijing.
Now aged 37 he is ranked 8th in the WBO and No. 14 rankings by the IBF.
The WBO belt, held by Joshua and ready to be in the mix for his undisputed title fight with Tyson Fury, could be a crunch again as Oleksandr Usyk is expected to against Joyce for the interim version.
That left, for now, just Joseph Parker or Junior Fa, Andy Ruiz Jr., Frank Sanchez and Michael Hunter between Zhang and the title.
Zhang KO’d Devin Vargas in November last year
“None of those names scare me,” Lane said. “None of those names give me chills. We don’t want to avoid any of those fights.”
The WBO route is Zhang’s plan, he explains: “This is the secret sauce in boxing.
“Zhang has to win on Saturday, he has to look good, he has to take control of the fight.
“After all, we have to step up against a big name. Once he wins that, there is no denying that he would be in the mix for the world title picture.
“There is a unique opportunity with Zhang and the Chinese market and we are getting closer to the global title picture.
“The music chairs that are like the professional boxing game, things change quickly. It’s within the potential that Zhang could be there, within a fight or two after Saturday.”