The first of those victories against British heavyweight Joyce saw Zhang, 40, claim the interim WBO title. The full version is currently held by Oleksandr Usyk, who faces Tyson Fury in a bout for undisputed status in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 17.
Mayer, who lost her IBF and WBO junior lightweight titles to fellow American Alycia Baumgardner on points in October after three successful defenses, is targeting Taylor or a Baumgardner rematch. Taylor (22-0, 6 KOs), 36, from Ireland but based in the United States, will not be available until late 2023 at least, with a rematch against Serrano, from Puerto Rico but based in New York, in the pipeline if she beats Cameron in a fight for the undisputed world junior welterweight title in Dublin, Ireland, next month.
The tactics weren't right. Some real novicey, amateur stuff from Joyce. But he can really still come back. I know Joyce was hurt a number of times, but I still think if the eye wasn't swollen I'm still confident he could have come back.
"So, if I can’t get any of these guys, Joseph Parker would be a good option. You never know. Styles make fights. I beat Parker in the 2011 world championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, and that was a while ago. If he wants revenge, go ahead, come," said Zhang about him being open to a fight with Parker if he’s game.
Zhang wasted no time in introducing the London crowd to his power as he rocked Joyce with a crushing left hook, to which his opponent replied with a swooping overhand right of his own to impose his knockout credentials. But back came Zhang, breaching Joyce's defences once more with an uppercut to snap the Brit's head back, leaving him with something to think about as the pair split at the end of the opening round.
"I like this fight a lot, two giant heavyweights in a situation where a loss could be the end any hopes of getting to the top of the division. I think Wilder has to be in desperation mode here. He’s only won a single bout since 2019 and he’ll be 39-years-old in just a couple of months. He has had an incredible career, but I don’t like what I saw in his last bout with Joseph Parker. The legs just were not present and neither was any killer instinct on Deontay’s part. Although Zhang lost his previous bout as well, also to Joseph Parker, I think even at 41-years of age he has a lot of fight left in him. I think he overwhelms the Bronze Bomber en route to a stoppage win halfway through the bout."
In 1995, Zhang was called up to the Shenqiu County canoe sprinting team by coach Li Guofeng. When Zhang injured his leg during a tryout for the provincial canoe sprinting team, he was referred to the provincial boxing coach Gu Ganqing. In 1998, Gu signed him to the Combat and Weightlifting Center in the Henan Provincial Department of Sports, headed by center chief Li Yan in Shangjie. From 1998 until he was released from his sporting obligations, he was coached by Gu. This was the first time Zhang had lived away from his family.
George liked China, so much so that when Zhang turned pro and moved to New Jersey, George stayed behind. Three years later, in 2017, Zhang, his career floundering, asked him to become his head trainer and George agreed.
The two fighters have swapped styles now, with Gardner taking the center of the ring and trying to walk his opponent down. O'Leary is staying outside and keeping out of range. It is a good tactic, with O'Leary so far ahead on the scorecard, he can afford to take a round and just try and wear Gardner out a little bit.
Former WBO heavyweight champion Parker now faces the interim title-holder Zhang, who is coming off back-to-back stoppage wins over Joe Joyce in April and September last year, and has amassed a 26-1-1 (21) record since turning professional in August 2014.
A few months after zhilei zhang boxrec’s debut, Dynasty Boxing went bust. "We ran out of money," says Terry. The Lanes exited the business. Duva pivoted Zhang to Roc Nation, with Duva joining as an executive. Roc Nation—like many new promoters—entered boxing with a bunch of money and no plan. Zhang continued to fight but often at low-profile shows. When he did get opportunities he stumbled. In 2015, Zhang, fighting on the undercard of Miguel Cotto’s middleweight title defense against Canelo Álvarez, faced Juan Goode. Zhang was knocked down in the fourth round, narrowly squeezing out a decision. "He looked like s---," says Duva. "His training, his diet, his living habits, they were all bad." The next year George returned and addressed it, laying out a structured schedule and enlisting nutritionists.
George saw something different. Back in Jersey, George worked to fine-tune Zhang’s skills. Chin tucked lower. Hands held higher. "At the same time, not change him so much where he doesn’t know how to use his feet," says George. "Because he’s actually really quick on his feet. But you guys don’t know yet. He has pretty good hand speed, but you guys are actually just noticing now."
Mayer, who lost her IBF and WBO junior lightweight titles to fellow American Alycia Baumgardner on points in October after three successful defenses, is targeting Taylor or a Baumgardner rematch. Taylor (22-0, 6 KOs), 36, from Ireland but based in the United States, will not be available until late 2023 at least, with a rematch against Serrano, from Puerto Rico but based in New York, in the pipeline if she beats Cameron in a fight for the undisputed world junior welterweight title in Dublin, Ireland, next month.
The tactics weren't right. Some real novicey, amateur stuff from Joyce. But he can really still come back. I know Joyce was hurt a number of times, but I still think if the eye wasn't swollen I'm still confident he could have come back.
"So, if I can’t get any of these guys, Joseph Parker would be a good option. You never know. Styles make fights. I beat Parker in the 2011 world championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, and that was a while ago. If he wants revenge, go ahead, come," said Zhang about him being open to a fight with Parker if he’s game.
Zhang wasted no time in introducing the London crowd to his power as he rocked Joyce with a crushing left hook, to which his opponent replied with a swooping overhand right of his own to impose his knockout credentials. But back came Zhang, breaching Joyce's defences once more with an uppercut to snap the Brit's head back, leaving him with something to think about as the pair split at the end of the opening round.
"I like this fight a lot, two giant heavyweights in a situation where a loss could be the end any hopes of getting to the top of the division. I think Wilder has to be in desperation mode here. He’s only won a single bout since 2019 and he’ll be 39-years-old in just a couple of months. He has had an incredible career, but I don’t like what I saw in his last bout with Joseph Parker. The legs just were not present and neither was any killer instinct on Deontay’s part. Although Zhang lost his previous bout as well, also to Joseph Parker, I think even at 41-years of age he has a lot of fight left in him. I think he overwhelms the Bronze Bomber en route to a stoppage win halfway through the bout."
In 1995, Zhang was called up to the Shenqiu County canoe sprinting team by coach Li Guofeng. When Zhang injured his leg during a tryout for the provincial canoe sprinting team, he was referred to the provincial boxing coach Gu Ganqing. In 1998, Gu signed him to the Combat and Weightlifting Center in the Henan Provincial Department of Sports, headed by center chief Li Yan in Shangjie. From 1998 until he was released from his sporting obligations, he was coached by Gu. This was the first time Zhang had lived away from his family.
George liked China, so much so that when Zhang turned pro and moved to New Jersey, George stayed behind. Three years later, in 2017, Zhang, his career floundering, asked him to become his head trainer and George agreed.
The two fighters have swapped styles now, with Gardner taking the center of the ring and trying to walk his opponent down. O'Leary is staying outside and keeping out of range. It is a good tactic, with O'Leary so far ahead on the scorecard, he can afford to take a round and just try and wear Gardner out a little bit.
Former WBO heavyweight champion Parker now faces the interim title-holder Zhang, who is coming off back-to-back stoppage wins over Joe Joyce in April and September last year, and has amassed a 26-1-1 (21) record since turning professional in August 2014.A few months after zhilei zhang boxrec’s debut, Dynasty Boxing went bust. "We ran out of money," says Terry. The Lanes exited the business. Duva pivoted Zhang to Roc Nation, with Duva joining as an executive. Roc Nation—like many new promoters—entered boxing with a bunch of money and no plan. Zhang continued to fight but often at low-profile shows. When he did get opportunities he stumbled. In 2015, Zhang, fighting on the undercard of Miguel Cotto’s middleweight title defense against Canelo Álvarez, faced Juan Goode. Zhang was knocked down in the fourth round, narrowly squeezing out a decision. "He looked like s---," says Duva. "His training, his diet, his living habits, they were all bad." The next year George returned and addressed it, laying out a structured schedule and enlisting nutritionists.
George saw something different. Back in Jersey, George worked to fine-tune Zhang’s skills. Chin tucked lower. Hands held higher. "At the same time, not change him so much where he doesn’t know how to use his feet," says George. "Because he’s actually really quick on his feet. But you guys don’t know yet. He has pretty good hand speed, but you guys are actually just noticing now."