Zhilei Zhang is widely considered one of the hardest-hitting heavyweights in boxing right now.
Two names stand at the top of the division in terms of power are ‘Big Bang’ Zhang and former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
Recently, Zhang spoke exclusively with ProBox TV News and talked about what a fight with Wilder might look like. It is heavily rumored that Deontay Wilder will return on December 23rd against former world champion Joseph Parker, which is rumored to take place in Saudi Arabia. Zhang was quick to point out that at the highest level of the heavyweight division, everyone can punch, but that his power or as referenced his ‘special gift’ is what separates him from his peers. A bout between Zhang and Wilder though fictional right now would be a sublime fight fan treat as it would seemingly come down to who lands first. Wilder, who is best known for loudly stating 'Bomb Squad' has become iconic with his ability to land thunderous shots that knockout his opponent with one shot.
“Wilder throws some bombs,” Zhang told ProBox TV. “He has been put down by [Tyson] Fury a few times, can you imagine [what would happen if] he faced me.”
“I want to fight one of the big four names - Tyson Fury, [Oleksandr] Usyk, Anthony Joshua [or] Deontay Wilder,” said Zhang. “When we talk about heavy punchers there is Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, the Klitschko brothers, and I think I am up there with those people. If you look at the heavyweight division everybody can punch, everybody has that puncher's chance to put the opponent to sleep.”
“People give me a name, I put people to sleep, if you have sleeping issues come see me,” said Zhang via a translator. “I just want people to see my special ability to cure people’s insomnia.”
Zhang’s manager, Terry Lane, agrees that he is one of the hardest-hitting heavyweights in the sport stopping short at only Earnie Shavers in terms of the level of power he holds. At 40-years-old, Zhang is clearly one hard hitter with his record reflecting that at 26 wins with 21 coming by way of knockout, one loss (which is heavily disputed against Filip Hrgovic), and one draw. Zhang is currently seen by most as the fifth-best heavyweight in an era in which four heavyweights have stood out.
“Yeah, no doubt,” said Zhang when asked if he is the hardest-punching modern heavyweight. “Doctor prescription.”
