AFTER suffering a first knockout defeat 11 months ago, Zhilei Zhang is chomping at the bit to return to action and prove that he can still become China’s first heavyweight world champion.
Regarded as a bogeyman after twice cracking the granite chin of Joe Joyce, many fight fans had Zhang picked as a world champion in waiting just two years back – only for a surprise defeat to Joseph Parker to derail his plans and strip him of the WBO Interim title.
Zhang returned to winning ways by emphatically halting Deontay Wilder to earn a shot at Agit Kabayel for the WBC Interim strap but there, the Chinese southpaw would suffer a first defeat inside of the distance, despite dropping the German in the fifth round of their February scrap.
Image credit: Matchroom
Speaking with Boxing News Online, Zhang gave full credit to Kabayel when reflecting on the fight but admitted that he still takes confidence from his own performance.
“Kabayel is a very talented and outstanding young fighter. In that fight, I controlled the action early. From the third round on, Kabayel increased his punch output, and my adjustments were not made quickly enough.
“I lost control and my rhythm was disrupted. Even so, I still knocked him down in the fifth round. Although I lost the fight, I remain very confident in myself and in my abilities.”
Of course, that defeat has dented Zhang’s identity as an indestructible juggernaut, but manager Terry Lane explained why he believes his man will look better than ever upon his next outing, despite suffering a maiden knockout loss and a frustrating 11-month layoff.
“I think Zhilei will respond well coming off a loss because he underwent a surgery directly following the Kabayel fight.
“In March, he travelled to China to have calcium deposits and bone fragments removed from his right elbow, which had caused him great pain for most of his professional career. The procedure was successful, and he experienced immediate relief. Not having to deal with that pain could be a game changer. But you never know, he has lost some time.
“There is always the risk of running into some ring rust, but Zhilei and [his trainer] Shaun [George], were back in the gym in the summer. He’s ready to go.”
Regardless of the surgery, Zhang’s inactivity has come through no fault of his own, agreeing to deals to face both Fabio Wardley and Derek Chisora during the second half of 2025, according to Lane.
That hiatus now seems set to come to an end, as the veteran powerhouse plans to return to fight in the United Kingdom, where his fan-friendly fight style and infectious personality is adored, for a bout against a British opponent in April.
“We expect Zhilei to be in the ring in early April. For the past seven months we’ve been in constant contact with Queensberry about various ideas. I think boxing fans may be surprised at how many fights Zhang has said agreed to, that just never materialized.
“I think people are aware of the Chisora fight that was supposed to happen in December – a fight we would still love if Chisora changes his mind – but even before that we said yes to Wardley. Again, that is a fight that Zhang will take if Wardley agrees to it.
“Fury, Dubois and Wardley are on the top of Zhilei’s ‘wish-list’ for his next fight. A fight with ‘The Gypsy King’ would be fun. The build-up and the fight itself would be mad, but I see Zhilei stopping Fury.
“I think the fight makes sense as both are top heavyweights who are coming off losses and yes, Dubois is a target of ours as well. Both fights make sense to us and to the division, as well.
“I do think he is the hardest puncher in the division still, which always makes him dangerous. A big win in his next fight would absolutely position him for a world title opportunity.”
At 42 years old and coming off a stoppage loss, there will be plenty of fans writing Zhang off from a return to title contention, but they say that power is the last thing to go – and the Zhoukou-born brute undeniably possesses power in abundance.
Image credit: Queensberry
In the eyes of ‘Big Bang’, the Kabayel clash was a setback rather than a sign of Father Time getting the better of him. Instead, he remains as determined and confident as ever ahead of his 2026 schedule, where he believes he can complete his goal of bringing a belt back to China and simultaneously become the second-oldest heavyweight champion of all time.
“Plans for 2026 can change quickly, so no matter whether it’s a major fight or a world title bout, I will always give everything I have. My goal has never changed — to become a world champion.
“I’ve never thought about how many fights I have left. I’ll keep fighting until I can’t fight anymore. And right now, I can still fight.”
As far as potential opposition is concerned, Zhang cast his attention to a trifecta of Britons ahead of his April appearance, when discussing who is on his hit-list and why.
“Daniel Dubois – he is a tough man in the ring and friendly outside, making him a super interesting opponent.
“Fabio Wardley – title holder. My team was approached his about this possibility for October 2025, But the fight was made with Parker instead.
“Tyson Fury – I’ve always wanted this fight. We almost made it happen back in ’23, before Joyce enacted his rematch clause.”
With further belts sure to become fragmented, Zhang’s ambitions are both realistic and reachable within the 2026 calendar, but a second straight defeat in this ambitious April encounter could well destroy the dreams of one of boxing’s most amiable operators.
