Zhilei Zhang

Zhang Zhilei, the Chinese heavyweight boxer, has firmly positioned himself among the top fighters in his division after spending over 7 years in the professional boxing ring. Born on March 3, 1983, he made his debut in August 2014 and has since contended in 26 fights, winning 24 of them, while losing one and drawing the other.

Of his 24 career victories, 19 came by way of knockout, securing Zhilei's reputation as a fierce puncher. Despite having no total title wins or title fight KO wins to his name, Zhilei's fights continue to draw significant attention and admiration from boxing enthusiasts worldwide.

The heavyweight boxer's debut in professional boxing was against Curtis Lee Tate when he was 31 years old. The fight took place on August 8, 2014, in which Zhilei defeated Tate within the first round itself. Zhilei's next 21 fights led to victories, including 16 knockouts, until he faced his first loss against Filip Hrgović via 12-round unanimous decision on August 20, 2022.

Hrgović's defeat ended Zhilei's 24-fight win streak. He is yet to make his total title win or any related achievements, mostly due to his late start in professional boxing. Nevertheless, Zhilei is renowned for some of his best fights and notable victories that include wins over Peter Graham, Devin Vargas, Scott Alexander, Andriy Rudenko, Craig Lewis, Don Haynesworth, and Mark Brown.

Currently with a professional record of 24-1-1, Zhilei has been scheduled to fight another heavyweight boxer, Joe Joyce, on April 15, 2023, in a title bout. The upcoming fight has been the talk of the town among boxing enthusiasts, and with a win over Joyce, Zhilei hopes to climb further in the ranks of the heavyweight division.

Zhilei weighs around 250 pounds and stands at 6 feet, 6 inches, towering over most of his opponents. Still, it's not just his stature that commands attention but also his phenomenal athleticism and punching power, which have earned him accolades in the boxing world.

Since his debut, Zhilei has worked hard to improve his skills, even though he embarked on professional boxing in his early 30s. It's worth mentioning that his current record and gradual ascension towards greater achievements have drawn attention from people worldwide, especially those in his homeland, China, where he has become a national treasure.

For instance, whenever he’s scheduled to fight on a big stage or scheduled for a title fight, his countrymen look forward to witnessing his performance. As such, his determination and hard work have turned him into a role model for many young aspiring boxers who seek to follow in his footsteps.

It's been nearly eight months since Zhilei faced his first professional loss against Hrgović. That being said, the seasoned boxer remains diligent in his training as he prepares to mount a comeback while still keeping his fans in suspense about how he would perform fighting Joyce.

In conclusion, Zhang Zhilei is a heavyweight boxer who has earned himself a place among the world's top boxers in his division. His 24-1-1 record and 19 knockouts attest to his incredible athleticism and ultimate power. With an upcoming title fight against Joe Joyce, boxing enthusiasts and fans across the globe are looking forward to witnessing the fight and perhaps see if Zhilei can add a title defense to his impressive record.

Zhang Zhilei Fight Record