As Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang (22-0, 17 KOs) prepares for this weekend’s outing against Jerry Forrest (26-4, 20 KOs), Zhang and his team are looking towards bigger and better opportunities as Zhang tries to build his profile. In fact, Zhang’s advisor Terry Lane tells Sky Sports that they’re looking for a step-up fight for Zhang against a notable opponent.
“We want a name that will draw more attention to Zhang because he doesn’t yet have a big name on his résumé. Chisora is the name that I like. Joyce is also a fight that we would love. Let me say it like this; there is no name that we are looking to avoid.”
Lane is aware that before fights like those can happen, Zhang first needs to win this weekend and do so in a fashion that merits him that type of fight. But if Zhang is successfull this weekend, his team believes he’ll be in line for a name opponent in his next outing, and should he win that, be in line for a world title opportunity.
Zhang’s advisor would continue by saying that there’s a unique opportunity for Zhang within the Chinese market and that’s something they’re looking to capitalize on. Of course that will largely be dependent on Zhang’s performances going forward. Zhang is most recently coming off a stoppage win over Devin Vargas last Novemeber while his upcoming opponent, Forrest, last took a decision loss to Carlos Takam last summer.