Heavyweight boxing star Deontay Wilder may have done well to heed Tyson Fury’s past warnings about Zhilei Zhang’s threat. And Anthony Joshua would do well to raise caution considering he’s being touted as a potential next opponent for the Chinese ace.
In contrast to many boxers whose performances often dwindle around 35, Zhang has only seen an escalation in his career – an impressive feat given he’s now 41. He savoured the most significant victory in his career to date after notching a tenacious fifth-round KO against ‘The Bronze Bomber’ in Riyadh on Saturday.
The victory expands Zhang’s horizons exponentially, with speculation rife of a prospective face-off against a resurgent Joshua. But Daniel Dubois, the newly crowned interim IBF heavyweight champion following his stoppage win over Filip Hrgovic, is also rumoured to be a contender.
Fury – himself a seasoned pro at 35 – already has a December rematch lined up against Oleksandr Usyk, who ended his unblemished record in May. The ‘Gypsy King’ lavished praise on Zhang and made noteworthy comparisons between the two heavyweights when speaking to Dev Shani for Queensberry Promotions (via the Mirror) back in September 2023.
Describing Zhang, he said: “I think he’s a very tough opponent and he’s a big southpaw punching man. He’s not like Usyk, a feather duster jibbing and jabbing around the ring. This man is trying to take your brains out. He’s 6ft 6in and twenty stone. He’s a very different customer and very dangerous.”
The so-called “feather duster” put paid to that characterisation, having surprised the boxing world with a split-decision win over Fury in Saudi Arabia. But Joshua, 34, seems less interested in a showdown with Zhang, who boasts a record of 27 wins, two losses and one draw.
AJ had been built up for a long-awaited transatlantic showdown opposite Wilder, but that appears increasingly unlikely as Wilder, 38, has suffered four defeats in his last five bouts. By contrast, Joshua seemed more receptive to the idea of taking on fellow Brit Dubois following his surprise win over Hrgovic.
“I’ve got to pick them off one by one. It’s not going to be easy, but that’s my mentality,” said the Londoner after watching Saturday’s Riyadh card from ringside. “So come one, come all…. He [Dubois] has worked his way up the ladder, we’ll see what happens in the near future.”
It’s possible the insightful comments from Fury pertaining to Zhang have resonated with former world champ Joshua. And despite his long-bubbling rivalry with Fury, this is one occasion where he may do well to listen to the Mancunian’s comments if he’s to preserve his recent run of winning form.
