China has an unbeaten heavyweight box er who extended his perfect record to 22-0 on Saturday night, and the two-metre tall wrecking ball is eyeing the big time after his winning return to the ring. Zhang Zhilei, who had not fought in over a year, dispatched wily veteran Devin Vargas with a devastating display of punch power in Florida, and the 37-year-old Henan native’s representatives are now eyeing bigger stages. Fighting on the undercard of Devin Haney vs Yuriorkis Gamboa at the Hard Rock Live venue, “Big Bang” Zhang ended the fight with a concussive counter left hand that sent his American opponent hurtling backwards to the canvas where he would remain. It was Zhang’s 17th KO win in a six-year professional career. The southpaw, now ranked 11 by the WBO, has previously spoken of his “dream” to fight heavyweight king Anthony Joshua in China, and he has history with the Watford fighter. Zhang had to settle for silver at the 2012 London Games after losing out to the Briton in the heavyweight final. Oleksandr Usyk beats Dereck Chisora to set up world heavyweight title shot Olympic gold proved to be a massive springboard for Joshua, who has gone on to superstardom and is the reigning WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion. He will reportedly have the opportunity to become the undisputed heavyweight champion in an expected two-fight deal with WBC champion Tyson Fury to play out next year. Zhang’s adviser Terry Lane is aiming high with his charge. “Professional boxing in China is still in its infancy, it is still emerging,” he told Sky Sports. “To make it explode, we want a big heavyweight fight involving Zhilei hosted in China. Alexander Povetkin shatters Dillian Whyte’s title dream with knockout “He is a very talented, top heavyweight who is in the mix. We want to use this to build the boxing industry in China. “China wants to be the best at everything so they want a mega-fight with a top heavyweight like Joshua or Tyson Fury. That is the aim for us. “We’re closer to it now than we were a few months ago.” Zhang’s new British promoter, Eddie Hearn, is eyeing a slightly more modest route for the 37-year-old, however. Hearn, whose Matchroom promotion also counts Joshua among its stable, has reportedly proposed a showcase bout in the UK against British veteran Dereck Chisora (32-10). Zimbabwe-born Briton Chisora was well beaten by rising heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Arena in London late last month, but for Zhang a fight against the former British heavyweight champion would provide him much exposure. A win could even see Zhang embark on an unlikely late charge towards the heavyweight division’s top table.
