Former ‘Interim’ WBO heavyweight champion Zhilei Zhang is about to square off against Agit Kabayel for the ‘Interim’ WBC heavyweight title on February 22nd on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch in Riyadh Saudi, Arabia. The behemoth from China will look to climb the heavyweight ladder, having defeated Deontay Wilder in his last outing.

However, ahead of his scheduled fight, fans want to learn more about Zhang’s personal life, especially his partner and kids. The 41-year-old from Henan has largely been a mystery to many, as he has appeared in lesser-known fights. However, that’s about to change. Here’s everything you need to know about Zhang’s wife/girlfriend and his kids.

Who is Zhilei Zhang’s wife and kids?

According to several sources, the Chinese heavyweight is indeed married and his wife’s name is Jiang Huanhuan. The couple first met in 1998 and began their courtship in 2000 and tied the knot in 2006. Like Zhang, Jiang has an athletic background—she was a softball player. Despite knowing the dangers of boxing, she has always supported her husband’s career, even though she finds it difficult to watch his fights. She once admitted that she secretly wipes away tears when she sees him take heavy punches but remains proud of his dedication to the sport.

Zhilei and Jiang have a son, born in 2010, who resides in China with his mother while Zhang trains and competes in the United States. Due to his demanding boxing career, Zhang spends most of his time in New Jersey, returning to China only once or twice a year to visit his family. Though they experience long periods of separation, Jiang understands the sacrifices required for Zhang to chase his dream of becoming a world champion.

Zhang has expressed deep gratitude for his family’s support, recognizing the challenges of being away from them. His dedication to both his sport and his loved ones continues to drive him as he aims to make history in boxing.

Zhilei Zhang’s early life and background

Zhilei Zhang was born on May 2, 1983, in Qianzhangying village in the Henan Province of China. Growing up in a working-class family to Zhang Tan and Deng Yuying, Zhang was drawn to combat sports from an early age. However, he tried his hand at canoeing for a while before transitioning to pugilism. Fortunately, his imposing size and natural athleticism made him a standout in his community, but it wasn’t until his teenage years that he fully committed to boxing.

China wasn’t known for producing elite heavyweight boxers at the time, but Zhang aimed to change that. He joined the Chinese national boxing team, where his raw power and technical skills began to take shape. Under the guidance of experienced coaches, Zhang developed a disciplined fighting style that blended his size with surprising agility.

His dedication paid off when he earned a spot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he won a silver medal in the super heavyweight division. This achievement cemented his status as China’s most promising heavyweight prospect. After competing in the 2012 Olympics but losing in the quarter-finals to future world champion Anthony Joshua, Zhang transitioned to the professional ranks, moving to the United States to train and expand his career.

That said, even though not much known is about Zhilei Zhang’s family, come February 22nd they will be cheering for Zhang. What do you think about the 41-year-old’s background?