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Zhilei Zhang Wants to Fight on the Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou Main Event but There Could Be a Deontay Wilder Catch

Published 01/06/2024, 2:34 PM EST

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The WBO Interim World Heavyweight champion Zhilei Zhang is jumping right back into the ring after defeating Joe Joyce for the second time a few months ago. The ‘Big Bang’ looks to fight on the confirmed Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou undercard. With a very successful 2023, it is no surprise that Zhang wants to fight a former world champion.

On paper, his next opponent should have been Oleksandr Usyk. However, that fight is not likely to happen soon as Usyk is set to fight Tyson Fury in February. So Zhang is left with no choice but to fight someone else. There is no one better for him than Deontay Wilder. As a former champion, he will give Zhang a hard fight. Michael Benson took to X to post about the details of the potential fight.

Zhilei Zhang confirms that he wants to fight Deontay Wilder

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The tweet made on X by Michael Benson confirmed that Zhang really does want to fight Wilder, according to his co-manager Terry Lane. Both Zhang and Wilder might reportedly be on the Joshua vs. Ngannou undercard on March 8th. It is indeed very possible that they both end up fighting each other. The fight would put two very fierce heavyweights against each other and could be a co-main event owing to the big names on it.

Wilder is coming off of a scathing loss to Joseph Parker. The former champion is no doubt looking for a redemption fight. On the other hand, Zhang will look to add another big name to the list of people he has defeated. Zhang’s glory will only rise if he beats Wilder. It will also give him a boost in his future fight against Usyk.

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Zhilei Zhang looks to fight Joseph Parker as well

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Joseph Parker’s victory against Wilder definitely put him in the spotlight. On ‘The Day of Reckoning’ Parker showed an outstanding performance against Wilder, scoring a win that no one expected. As Zhang continues his search for more opponents, Parker’s name appears at the top of the list. The Olympic silver medalist is as good an opponent as any other.

Read More: “He’s at the Lower Part of His Career”: Zhilei Zhang Remains Brutally Honest on Deontay Wilder’s Upset Loss Against Joseph Parker

Zhang said, “Parker might be a good option. Right now, he’s hot. Everybody is looking at him like he’s really good.” According to Zhang, if he does not get to fight anyone else, Parker would make for the best opponent and he is not wrong. The Kiwi has already shown that he has skills worthy of a title contender.

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If the two heavyweights do fight on the card, who do you think emerges victorious? Will the former champion looking for a redemption fight take the win or the confirmed WBO title contender? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Watch This Story: Zhilei Zhang Intense Training Routine for Joe Joyce Rematch

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Written by:

Prachi Prava Senapati

538Articles

One take at a time

The Greatest aka Muhammad Ali would always say, “We can’t be brave without fear.” I am a Boxing author at EssentiallySports and was first drawn to the boxing gym when a friend of mine came to meet me with her hand wraps still on. After arranging enough resources, I joined the gym and eventually tried my hand at MMA as well.
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Edited by:

Gokul Pillai