Following his impressive fifth-round knockout victory over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang wasted no time in calling out Anthony Joshua for his next fight. Zhang boldly stated that he would be willing to face Joshua if he didn’t already have an opponent lined up. Despite his confidence, promoter Eddie Hearn did not mention Zhang as a potential opponent for Joshua’s next bout in September.
Instead of Zhang, Hearn hinted at the possibility of Joshua facing Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September. Dubois, a rising star in the boxing world, captured the IBF interim title by stopping Filip Hrgovic in the eighth round. With his youth, exciting fighting style, and popularity in the UK, Dubois seems like a more attractive option for Joshua than Zhang, who lacks a title to offer.
Zhang’s Post-Fight Comments
In the aftermath of his victory over Wilder, Zhang shared his thoughts with the media. He expressed his readiness to step into the ring with Joshua and emphasized the hard work put in by his team. Zhang highlighted his defensive skills in the fight against Wilder and explained how he seized the opportunity to land decisive blows that led to the knockout victory.
Promoter Eddie Hearn also weighed in on Wilder’s performance, questioning the former champion’s mindset and readiness to compete at the highest level. Hearn noted that Wilder seemed hesitant to let his hands go, a stark contrast to the fearless and dominant fighter he once was. The lackluster performance raised concerns about Wilder’s future in the sport, leaving fans and pundits to speculate on what comes next for the former titleholder.
Zhilei Zhang’s challenge to Anthony Joshua may have fallen on deaf ears, but it has sparked discussions about potential matchups and the current state of the heavyweight division. While Zhang’s victory over Wilder was impressive, it remains to be seen if he will get the opportunity to face Joshua in the near future. As the boxing world eagerly anticipates Joshua’s next move, the landscape of the heavyweight division continues to evolve, with new contenders emerging and established stars facing challenges to their reign.