One of the vital interesting, fascinating, maybe even fan-demanded heavyweight fights for 2024 is one between Anthony Joshua and Zhilei Zhang. These two giants, who met as amateurs at Olympic degree, with AJ profitable a reasonably huge resolution over “Huge Bang,” may wind up giving us a spectacular, each when it comes to motion and the hugeness of the occasion itself.
Zhang, who had himself an excellent 2023 with these two commanding stoppage wins over the beforehand considered unstoppable Joe Joyce, has been fairly busy calling out a variety of heavyweights since his second win over “The Juggernaut,” however the 40 yr outdated southpaw has now made it very clear his precedence is to get AJ into the ring, or again into the ring.
Talking with Combat Hype, Zhang, 26-1-1(21) stated {that a} battle between himself and Joshua is such a pure battle to make, for a number of causes.
“Once you have a look at Joshua’s potential battle with [Filip]Hrgovic it doesn’t make that a lot industrial sense. If he involves me the entire of China, the UK and the Center East can be watching,” Zhang stated. “Joshua’s earlier opponents have been southpaw, Usyk’s southpaw, Otto Wallin’s southpaw, he’s snug and actually been good at beating southpaws and I’m a southpaw so let’s get it on. Credit score to [Joseph] Parker, however I would like Joshua subsequent.”
It’s true a battle between Zhang and Joshua can be large in both China, the UK, or the Center East. China, with it’s colossal Chicken’s Nest Stadium, can be internet hosting a monster occasion, whereas it’s totally doable Joshua-Zhang would promote out Wembley. And naturally, the highly effective cash males in Saudi Arabia can seemingly make any massive battle they need proper about now.
Wherever it had been held, Joshua Vs. Zhang would pull in big numbers, each on the gate and on TV. However is that this battle too dangerous for Joshua? Does Joshua desire that talked of battle with Hrgovic, for the anticipated to be vacated IBF heavyweight belt? The Joshua-Zhang battle is perhaps a much more thrilling and much larger industrial battle than a Joshua-Hrgovic battle, nevertheless it may very well be argued how the latter carries the least danger and essentially the most reward of the 2 fights. If YOU had been AJ, which battle would you need?
Eddie Hearn has stated Joshua may very well be again in motion in March and he did point out Zhang as one in all his doable opponents. Let’s see which battle Joshua, the largest money cow of the heavyweight division, picks for his subsequent rumble.
