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In the wrestling of boxing, sometimes victory or defeat does not only depend on boxing skills, but also contains deep-seated obsessions and unfinished hatred. Recently, Chinese boxer Zhang Zhilei announced that he will challenge British superstar Anthony Joshua in a protracted battle of hatred. At the London Olympics 11 years ago, Zhang Zhilei lost to Joshua, and that one-shot feud was deeply rooted in his heart. Now, the Oriental fighter is no longer content to take on WBO No. 11-ranked Ajaba and has his eyes on Joshua and can't wait to win back a dignified fight for himself.
On the surface, this matchup is just a collision between two fighters, but a closer look reveals the complex strategy and multi-layered considerations behind it.
First of all, Zhang Zhilei's decision was not sudden, but deliberate. He once claimed to be playing against a lower-ranked opponent, but he reversed course at the most crucial moment and opted to play Joshua. This is not a spur of the moment, but is based on a combination of factors.
Zhang Zhilei said affectionately in an interview: "11 years ago, I lost to the better guy (Joshua), and I'm glad that we have both come a long way. Now, it's time for both of us to make a commitment to the sport of boxing and give an account to fans around the world. "This is not a simple declaration of war, but also a rhetoric to take responsibility for the cause of boxing.
Second, the choice of Joshua was no coincidence. After Wilder's loss to Parker, Joshua became the only current top boxing superstar who has a schedule and can also give Zhang Zhilei a generous appearance fee. This is undoubtedly a wise move on a business level, and it is also an accurate recognition of one's own value.
Meanwhile, Joshua's three-game winning streak in 2023 puts him in the top three in all four major organizations, with high popularity and market appeal. Not only does this add to the matchup, but it also makes this fight not just a revenge fight, but a pivotal fight about the future of boxing.
And in the unpredictable landscape of boxing, the rematch agreement signed by Tyson Fury and Usyk has made the question of the ownership of the IBF belt confusing. Once the two agree to an immediate rematch, the IBF will strip the four organizations of the IBF gold belt of the winner of the merger. As a result, Joshua is torn between whether to fight Zhang Zhilei or fight Hrgovic for the official IBF belt.
It's not just a boxing match, it's a game of risk and benefit. If Joshua chooses to fight Zhang, he will only be able to claim the WBO interim title, while defeating Hrgovic will directly claim the vacant official IBF belt. This involves the fighter's personal career planning and the team's wise choice.
In the end, if Joshua chooses to face Zhang Zhilei, this match will become an important point in the history of professional boxing in China. Not only is it expected to break many records, but in terms of appearance fees, Zhang Zhilei is expected to surpass Zou Shiming to become the new holder of the appearance fee record. This will be a major breakthrough in Chinese boxing, and it will also be a huge verification of China's boxing strength.
Overall, this Zhang Zhilei vs. Joshua matchup has long gone beyond a simple boxing match to become a grand event that focuses the attention of fans around the world. Behind this is the responsibility of the two fighters for the boxing career and the planning for the future.
However, while we are excited about this feast, we also have to leave an unanswered question. Will this matchup really unravel the regrets of 11 years ago, and will it lead to deeper controversy? After all, it's hard to predict whether a boxing match will be won or lost, and how will it affect the landscape of boxing in the future? These questions may only be answered after this matchup.
Before this boxing feast, we can't help but dig deeper into the deep-seated reasons why Zhang Zhilei chose Joshua. His decision was not just a desire for revenge for the defeat that stuck with him 11 years ago, but also a strategic plan for the future of boxing.
First of all, 11 years of precipitation has made Zhang Zhilei a calm and experienced fighter. In an interview, he revealed that the showdown with Joshua was not only a release of personal hatred, but also a determination to take responsibility for the sport of boxing. He hopes that through this matchup, he will inject new vitality and attention into the sport and make the sport more popular. This sense of responsibility for the cause and lofty goals make the significance of this duel more than the personal honor competition of both sides.
Secondly, for Chinese boxing, this match will carry more expectations. Chinese boxing has had its glory days, but since then, there has been a lack of a superstar who can make his mark on the world stage. Zhang Zhilei is the candidate who is expected to become the one who fills this gap. Joshua's choice is not only commercially attractive, but also to allow Chinese boxing to regain its place in the world, arouse the strong interest of Chinese people in boxing, and open a new chapter for Chinese boxing.
This decision has also brought infinite anticipation to Chinese fans. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, will stand on Zhang Zhilei's side and cheer for him. This is not only a boxing event, but also a contest of national honor. Chinese fans will be the most passionate force in this matchup, cheering on Zhang Zhilei and pushing this matchup to a new climax.
At the same time, Joshua was facing a difficult decision. His boxing career has reached its peak, but the question of choosing who to fight next has become a complex one. A matchup with Zhang Zhilei will certainly earn him more attention and respect, but choosing to face Hrgovic and claim the official IBF belt is also a tempting option.
This involves not only commercial considerations, but also personal boxing career planning. On the one hand, Zhang, as a newcomer, could be a more commercially attractive opponent for Joshua. But on the other hand, the fight against Hrgovic will determine whether he can achieve his magnificent dream of unifying the heavyweight belt. This choice is about his personal boxing legend as well as the landscape of the boxing scene as a whole.
In the world of boxing, the heavyweight division is always the most compelling class. Not only because it's home to the toughest fighters, but also because every fight has the potential to change the game. The duel between Zhang Zhilei and Joshua will become a bombshell in this field, setting off endless ripples.
From a historical point of view, the status of Chinese boxing in the global boxing world has been relatively low. But now, Zhang's rise is destined to breathe new life into boxing in the country. The duel with Joshua is not only a revenge battle, but also a new starting point for Chinese boxing to move towards the international stage.
However, as this showdown approached, public opinion began to divide. On the one hand, some people are optimistic about Zhang Zhilei's strength and potential, believing that he is expected to become the representative of Chinese boxing and can win in the duel. On the other hand, there are also those who question his ability, arguing that he has not experienced a real matchup with a fighter like Joshua, and the odds are not optimistic. This divergent view also makes this match even more confusing and full of unknown variables.
Perhaps, this is the most fascinating thing about boxing. Unlike other sports, the outcome of boxing is often unpredictable and unpredictable. It is this uncertainty that makes the boxing match full of suspense and excitement, and also makes this Zhang Zhilei and Joshua matchup even more fascinating.
Finally, let's get back to the essence of the fight – the battle between two top fighters in the ring. No matter what kind of opponent they choose, whether it's for revenge or a higher honor, Zhang Zhilei and Joshua will use their fists and sweat in the ring to present a spectacular match for fans around the world.
So, no matter who is favored and whatever the outcome, this matchup will go down as an important juncture in boxing history, breathing new life into this exciting sport. In this boxing feast, let us look forward to a duel that transcends borders and hatred, and cheers and pays tribute to this sport full of passion and glory.