Zhilei Zhang faces a “big fight” this year: Possible opponent and return date announced

Zhilei Zhang has established himself as one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the division.

The left-hander first appeared on the radar at the 2008 Olympics when he won a silver medal, but it took another decade before Chinese authorities allowed him to turn professional.

In 2020, he was 37 years old when he signed with Matchroom and his first notable fight came in 2021 when he defeated Jerry Forrest.

Now 41 years old, he has already won three outstanding fights. His first two victories came last year when he impressively stopped Joe Joyce in two consecutive fights. Up until then, Joyce had built up good momentum and seemed unflappable.

Zhang then entered the ring with Joseph Parker and lost a close fight on points despite knocking him down twice as he tired in the later rounds.

In March of this year, he delivered perhaps his best performance when he confidently knocked out Deontay Wilder in the fifth round – which may have meant the end of the American's career.

He is currently ranked as the fifth best heavyweight by Ring Magazine and is now looking to secure his next big fight.

Speaking to The Lowdown, promoter Frank Warren revealed that he will be back in action before the end of the year.

“We're working on a big fight for Big Bang, and we're working very hard on it, and I hope we'll be able to make an announcement pretty soon, but he'll probably fight in late October or November.”

Warren was asked if the contest could take place in China and hinted that it could be the next Parker rematch for “Big Bang.”

“I would like that, and he obviously has that rematch clause with Joe Parker, so anything will happen.”

With all belts up for grabs in fights for victory towards the end of the year, a second meeting between these two big men is very likely.