‘Stop talking and let’s do it’ – Zhang Zhilei calls out Tyson Fury

Chinese boxing sensation Zhang Zhilei has sent a clear message to British heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury after brutally beating Joe Joyce in London on Saturday night. Speaking to CGTN Europe just minutes after the third round win by knockout at Wembley Arena, Zhang called out Fury, while taking time to thank his Chinese supporters who watched the fight. 

Zhang, the 2008 Olympic silver medalist who stopped Joyce in six rounds last April at London’s Copper Box, is the WBO’s mandatory challenger for Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk. Usyk holds the WBO, IBO, IBF and WBA belts. But ‘Big Bang’ Zhang has his eyes firmly set on Fury: “Next I will challenge Tyson Fury. My team will coordinate with his team.”

“I want to say to Tyson, stop talking so much, let’s do it,” Zhang said. 

Despite the clinical display in front of a good crowd, the 40-year-old southpaw fighter still believes he hasn’t reached his full potential. Zhang said: “This is how I trained, and this is how I fight. I performed my best in the three rounds of this match.

“Last time I didn’t use my right hook but I used it this time. But I’m still not 100 percent out yet. You’ll see more potential from me in my next fight.”

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The Wembley crowd featured dozens of Chinese fans who cheered throughout the fight, holding aloft Chinese flags and banners, something that Zhang applauded.

“I would like to say thank you to all the Chinese, British boxing fans here today. Some fans even traveled from New York, from Canada. I would like to express my appreciation,” the man from Zhoukou said.

“Especially the Chinese boxing fans here and in front of TV screen, thank you for your support and let’s together witness the Chinese power and Chinese speed.”

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