Zhang lands knockout Matchroom deal

The world's biggest boxing promotion has added China's biggest fighter to its stable.

Britain's Matchroom Boxing, headed by the inimitable Eddie Hearn, has signed an exclusive deal with unbeaten heavyweight Zhang Zhilei from Zhoukou, Henan province, and is in negotiations to have the 6-foot-6, 260-pound (1.98-meter, 118-kilogram) southpaw return to the ring as soon as November.

Zhang (21-0, 16 KOs) won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and dropped a close decision to gold medalist Anthony Joshua of Britain at the 2012 London Games.

Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs), who currently holds the IBF, WBA and WBO titles, is now Zhang's stablemate at Matchroom, based near London.

In September 2018, Zhang knocked out American Don Haynesworth in Changsha, Hunan province, to retain the WBO Oriental title. In his most recent outing, last November, he won a lopsided decision over Ukraine's world-ranked Andriy Rudenko in Monaco.

The 37-year-old Chinese brawler is now ranked No 11 in the world by the WBO and No 12 by the IBF. He's currently training in New Jersey.

"I'm very happy to enter into an agreement with Matchroom," Zhang told BoxingNews24 through an interpreter on the weekend. "They are one of the best promoters in the world, and I am the biggest and best heavyweight coming out of China.

"I just need an opportunity to become the best in the world, which I strongly believe that Matchroom is able to provide. With each of us focused on our part, I wish for a happy and successful future together.

"It's always been a dream of mine to chase greatness and make the world aware that a Chinese heavyweight is coming to do damage. I have been preparing and training hard for whoever they put in front of me. I'm here to make my presence felt."

Hearn hailed Zhang, aka 'Big Bang', as a top-class addition to Matchroom's roster.

"The heavyweight scene couldn't be any hotter right now, so this is the perfect time for Zhilei to get back into action and throw his name into the mix," said Hearn.

"He is ready to take on all-comers as he aims for his 22nd win in November. The next step for China's 'Big Bang' will then be to face his fellow top-class contenders and position himself for a world-title shot."

Terry Lane, Zhang's primary adviser from Lane Brothers Boxing in New Jersey, believes it's only a matter of time before a world-title challenge is on the horizon.

"Zhilei is a world-class heavyweight and Matchroom is one of the world's premier promoters. It's a natural fit that puts Zhilei in the mix among boxing's top big men," said Lane. "We are extremely excited about the partnership."