China is not a nation that has an understanding of compromise. It wants – or aims for – everything it sets out to achieve. In sport, a way of presenting its strengths to the world happens even more.
Boxing, whose history linked to forms of expression is endless, also has a chapter with the rise to the heavyweight throne of Zhilei Zhang, a contender who ceased to be a surprise long ago.
Zhang is not the prototypical heavyweight that sports fans would expect to have in their ranks. He is over 40 years old and his recent victories allow him to challenge anyone he likes.
He started the sport late but was soon a fighter to be reckoned with, with an Olympic silver medal at Beijing 2008, losing to the legendary Roberto Cammarelle in the final. He then took the next step to turn professional.
Only one defeat, against the Croatian Hrgovic in a split decision that pleased no one and two consecutive victories against the European heavyweight talent, Joe Joyce have followed.
Both wins came in front of Joyce’s home crowd, which provided even more significance. First, he won his first fight for the WBO interim belt after knocking him out in the sixth round. In the rematch at London’s Wembley Arena, Zhang took just three rounds to knock Joyce out.
“You want to see me shut Tyson Fury’s mouth?” he shouted into the microphone after the fight.
Zhang doesn’t care, he goes for it. That’s his style. He’s got two bombs in his hands and at his range he’s unstoppable. It matters little to him that Joyce piled on the pounds and wanted to change his style.
Zhang has an atypical profile, not very theatrical. However, he is poised to lead China to an incredible accolade, the most mythical and legendary belt in existence, the heavyweight title.
With his record of 26 (21KOs)-1-1 he can afford to enter the conversation amongst Fury, Usyk, Wilder and Joshua.