Zhilei Zhang is convinced that Anthony Joshua is deliberately avoiding a fight with him. The rivalry between the two dates back to the 2012 Olympics, where Joshua emerged victorious. Despite Zhang’s victory over Deontay Wilder in June, he remains skeptical about ever getting a chance to face Joshua in the ring. Zhang expressed his frustration during an interview, stating that Joshua is unlikely to agree to a rematch due to their history and the choices he makes in selecting opponents.
Following their Olympic encounter, both fighters have achieved significant success in their professional careers. Zhang holds the interim WBO heavyweight belt, while Joshua has become a two-time unified heavyweight champion. However, Zhang believes that Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has been protective of his fighter by avoiding a potential rematch with him. Despite efforts from Zhang’s management to secure a fight with Joshua, they were met with rejection.
While Joshua has faced criticism for his performance in recent years, including a shocking defeat to Andy Ruiz in 2019, he has since regained his form with four consecutive wins. Zhang acknowledges Joshua’s recent victories but remains skeptical about his true abilities until they face each other in the ring. However, with Joshua’s upcoming fight against Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title and a potential undisputed title match in the future, Zhang’s hopes of facing Joshua seem bleak.
In light of this, Zhang is shifting his focus towards seeking redemption in a rematch against Joseph Parker, whom he lost to by majority decision in March. He is also eyeing other top-ranked opponents such as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk for future matchups. Despite the disappointment of not being able to secure a fight with Joshua, Zhang remains determined to continue his professional boxing career and prove himself against the best in the division.
As Zhang awaits his next opportunity in the ring, he remains optimistic about his future prospects and is eager to showcase his skills against top-tier competition. While the feud with Joshua may not be resolved anytime soon, Zhang’s determination and resilience demonstrate his commitment to achieving greatness in the world of boxing. Only time will tell if Zhang’s aspirations will come to fruition, but one thing is certain – he is ready to take on any challenge that comes his way.