Chinese heavyweight champion Zhang Zhilei has become a sought-after national hero since winning the WBO interim heavyweight title last year, and despite losing to Parker on points last month, Zhang's image in the minds of Chinese fans has not changed, giving the impression of toughness and tenacity. But what most people don't know is that Zhang Zhilei actually lost a lot of games during the competition period in the system, and not only lost to Zhang Junlong many times in China, but was also pressed by another god.
As we all know, Zhang Zhilei won the silver medal above 91kg in the Beijing Olympics, in the much-anticipated final, Zhang Zhilei was actually defeated by KO, and lost to this person three times, the person who knocked him out was not the famous Zhang Junlong, but the Italian heavyweight boxing legend Camarele!
In that final, Zhang Zhilei and Camarele were already behind 4-14 in the fourth round, when Zhang Zhilei was eager to chase the score, suddenly jumped in and tried to hit the opponent hard, but was unexpectedly hit on the chin by Camarele's attack, causing Zhang Zhilei to be knocked down on the spot. Although Zhang Zhilei got up within the specified time to read the seconds, when the referee still waved his hand to signal the end of the game, announcing that Camarele had won the gold medal of 91kg+ at the Beijing Olympics, Zhang Zhilei was the runner-up, and Zhang Zhilei also shed sad tears after the game.
At the London 2012 Olympic Games, Camarele again reached the final of 91kg+, this time against the host boxer Joshua, and the two sides ended up in a 18-18 draw, but the referee ruled that Joshua won by a "small score" and won the gold medal in the super heavyweight class of the London Olympics.
However, the decision in the final caused a huge controversy, with the vast majority of people believing that the victory should have belonged to Camarele, and Joshua's victory in the knockout rounds leading up to the final was controversial, and it is fair to say that without the referee's care, Joshua would not have won the gold medal at the London Olympics.
It is a pity that Camarele did not turn to professional boxing after his brilliant achievements in the system, in fact, with his strength, it is easy to eliminate several so-called heavyweight giants now, but due to personal choice and environmental factors, this heavyweight genius did not develop in the professional circle.
It is reported that Zhang Zhilei will fight the former WBC world boxing champion Wilder on June 1, coincidentally, Zhang Zhilei and Wilder both participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but the two did not participate in the same level, Wilder participated in the 91kg competition at that time, and finally won a bronze medal. As for who can have the last laugh on June 1, let's wait and see.