For several years, Anthony Joshua dominated the heavyweight boxing scene, capturing the IBF title and solidifying his status as a powerhouse by defeating notable opponents such as Joseph Parker and Wladimir Klitschko on his way to becoming the unified champion. However, his career took a dramatic turn after a shocking upset in June 2019 when he lost to Andy Ruiz Jr. during his U.S. debut at Madison Square Garden. Joshua managed to avenge this defeat later that year, securing a decisive points victory in Saudi Arabia.
Despite regaining some of his former glory with a win over Kubrat Pulev, Joshua encountered significant challenges in back-to-back bouts against Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022, during which he lost his titles. Usyk then went on to become the undisputed champion after defeating Tyson Fury in May.
In his most recent fight in September, Joshua faced another setback when he was knocked down multiple times by IBF champion Daniel Dubois, ultimately suffering a fifth-round stoppage loss in his attempt to reclaim the heavyweight title. As he contemplates his next steps, a potential rematch with Dubois is on the horizon, but Joshua has also drawn the attention of Zhilei Zhang.
Zhang, eager to avenge his 2012 Olympic loss to Joshua, expressed his willingness to step into the ring. In an interview with Boxing News, he stated, “If Eddie sends me the contract tomorrow, I’ll sign it right away. I’m very interested; I want to get back that London Olympic loss.”
Having recently scored stoppage victories over top contenders like Deontay Wilder and Joe Joyce, Zhang is eager to establish his mark in the heavyweight division, particularly motivated to secure a shot at Joshua. He even suggested the possibility of fighting in Beijing’s National Stadium, The Bird’s Nest, fulfilling a long-held dream to showcase his talent in front of a home crowd.
As for Joshua’s camp, it remains uncertain whether they view the risk of facing the Chinese southpaw as worth it compared to a potential rematch with Dubois. With both fighters seeking to return to title contention, the heavyweight landscape is shifting, and fans are eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this intense rivalry.
