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Tommy Lane, the manager of heavyweight contender Zhang Zhilei, says his boxer is ready to fight top boxers, after coming close to derailing undefeated puncher Filip Hrgovic last month in Saudi Arabia.
As part of the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua, Zhilei lost a very close twelve round decision to Hrgovic in their final IBF eliminator.
Lane indicates that Zhang would be ready and willing to reignite an amateur rivalry by taking on Joshua next.
Joshua is looking to bounce back after suffering back-to-back decision losses to Usyk.
“Zhang just beat Hrgovic, who many of the top contenders have avoided and flatly rejected. We know Zhang didn’t raise his hand, but Zhang won that fight. Also, Hrgovic took a beating and needs some time to recover. Zhang went back to the hotel after the fight, Hrgovic went to the hospital,” Lane told Vegas Insider.
“AJ and Zhang have the same schedule. They last fought on the same night. Zhang didn’t get hurt during their fight, he’s back in the gym now and will be fresh and ready if AJ wants him. Zhang and Joshua also have history and unfinished business from fans, when they fought in the 2012 Olympics. Zhang has all of China behind him, and AJ remains one of the main faces of professional boxing, the other options that Eddie Hearn has mentioned publicly.”
Joshua is currently in serious talks to fight WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in December.
However, Lane has some doubts about whether that contest will actually take place.
He feels that Fury could be using the discussions with Joshua as a negotiating tactic for a possible uncontested fight with Usyk.
“I’m not sure if it’s Fury vs. Joshua. I think Joshua wants it, but you never know what Fury’s intentions or plans are. This could be a negotiating ploy with Usyk or someone else. Only Fury knows.” I don’t know. I don’t think Joshua will beat Fury, but it’s another shot at the heavyweight championship for a ton of money, so I don’t think you can say it’s the wrong fight for AJ. But if that fight falls through “We’re ready, willing and able to come to London to fight Joshua when he’s ready. Given their styles, AJ v Zhang promises to be an explosive fight for the fans,” Lane said.
