Since making his professional debut 11 years ago, Chinese 41-year-old Zhilei Zhang has made considerable inroads into the heavyweight division. Although boasting 110 kg weight and standing almost two meters tall in the ring, a world title remains out of his grasp despite coming within close range to winning WBO “interim” heavyweight title for several months before narrowly missing making history as first Chinese heavyweight world champion.
Zhang looks set for his next step toward world title contention when he meets Agit Kabayel of Germany for the WBC “interim” heavyweight championship on February 22. Not only can Zhang look forward to another opportunity at glory; this fight also provides him with another chance to overcome setbacks and cement his place in boxing history.
Details of Zhilei Zhang’s Boxing Losses
In his career spanning thirty fights, ‘Big Bang’ Zhang has tasted defeat twice. Signs of vulnerability first appeared during his bout with Jerry Forrest on August 22, 2022, which ended in a surprising 10-round draw — a rarity for Zhang who had rarely been pushed the distance in previous fights.
Rebounding from the draw with two consecutive knockout victories, Zhang looked to be regaining his momentum until facing Filip Hrgovic of Croatia. In a match held in Jeddah, King Abdullah Sports City, Hrgovic handed Zhang his first professional loss via a unanimous decision after twelve intense rounds.
Undeterred, Zhang claimed victory in his next two matches, including wins over Joe Joyce, earning him the WBO interim title. Yet, the dream of becoming the undisputed champion slipped through his fingers when Joseph Parker of New Zealand secured a majority decision victory against him, taking the WBO interim title in the process.
Zhilei Zhang’s Record and Opportunities Ahead
Zhang boasts an impressive boxing record of 27 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw. With a knockout rate of 81.48%, demonstrating his power and skill in ending fights early. While he has faced setbacks, his career remains noteworthy for its challenges against high-caliber opponents.
Just weeks removed from his major triumph against Deontay Wilder, Zhang will go into his match against Agit Kabayel as an underdog but views this momentous occasion as an opportunity to redefine his legacy in boxing while striving to make an impressionive debut reminiscent of The Big Bang itself.
Zhang’s next fight could mark an essential turning point in his professional boxing journey and, with each passing second, anticipation grows surrounding both performance and future potential prospects for Zhang.