Zhilei Zhang is accused of “running away” from his heavyweight rival: “He claims he would fight anyone”

Zhilei Zhang is one of numerous world-class heavyweights trying to put themselves in a position to challenge for a world title.

Now 42 years old, the Chinese boxer is enjoying something of a late summer in his career, scoring two impressive back-to-back stoppage victories over Britain's Joe Joyce in 2023, losing on points to Joseph Parker in March this year, but bouncing back in style by stopping the once fearsome American puncher Deontay Wilder inside five rounds three months later.

With at least three of the four major titles already up for grabs, Zhang will still be busy fighting another top contender. Riyadh Season's Turki Alalshikh had expressed interest in a fight against Martin Bakole, but that is now officially off the table.

Speaking to Seconds Out, Bakole's coach Billy Nelson claimed that Zhang and his team “ran away.”

“We already made Zhang run away. He has his sneakers with double knots on and is running. He is in the distance now, we can't see him because of all the dust. So we had to resort to alternative opponents because Zhang said no thanks, or Zhang's team.”

Nelson was then asked how frustrating this was, but said they were used to it.

“I've told you before, and I've been saying it for years. They talk shit. 'I'll fight anyone.' 'Fight Martin Bakole.' 'No.' Dude, I could give you a top 10 that would shock you if you turned down a fight.”

Instead, Bakole, who stopped American Jared Anderson last time out and is now number 1 in the WBO, has a tougher opponent in store.

“The next opponent is a tougher fight for me than Zhang. Financially it will be very good, but ranking-wise it will be fantastic. If the fight happens. He is number one in one ranking and could be number one in another.”

Bakole himself has also challenged players such as Joseph Parker and Agit Kabayel, with the latter being the most likely case as Zhang is now set to face Parker in a rematch.