Anthony Joshua’s refusal to accept a fight with Zhang Zhilei is “boxing’s worst-kept secret”, says the Chinese heavyweight champion’s co-manager Terry Lane.
Joshua is preparing to challenge British opponent Daniel Dubois for the IBF title at Wembley Stadium on September 21. sky sports box office live.
Zhang was knocked down and defeated by Joshua at the 2012 London Olympics, but the hard-punching southpaw was unable to compete after a series of impressive wins, including an explosive knockout of Deontay Wilder. Revenge against his amateur rivals in the professional arena.
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Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois were pulled away by security ahead of their IBF title fight at Wembley
“I think this is the worst kept secret in boxing, AJ doesn’t want to work with Zhilei,” Lane told reporters. Sky Sports.
“They have a chance to fight.
“It was clear that AJ had no interest in his purpose and was just trying to avoid a fight, which is unfortunate.”
sky sports It is understood Joshua believes his opponent is using his name to “stay relevant” as he bids to become world heavyweight champion against Dubois for a third time.
Zhang Zhilei defeated Deontay Wilder in the fifth round in June
Zhang has previously been linked with a fight with Tyson Fury after defeating Joe Joyce in two consecutive fights.
With Fury set to rematch Usyk on December 21, Zhang will be watching with interest to see who will claim the WBC, WBA and WBO belts.
“The goal is to become a world champion,” Ryan said.
“AJ and Fury are Zhang’s main aspirations – those are the two guys he wants to fight.
“I don’t know if Usyk really wants to go back to lightweight, but I think Zhilei has earned more opportunities against Fury and AJ.
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Oleksandr Usyk takes to Instagram to respond to Tyson Fury’s taunt ahead of boxing rematch in Riyadh on December 21
“The problem with Zhilei is that he’s scary. He’s a dangerous fight for anyone, a southpaw who punches hard.
“He ruined Joyce vs. Fury, he ruined Deontay Wilder vs. AJ, so he was considered a risky party-crasher, a spoiler, so it turns out, let these guys It’s hard to get on the court.
Zhang’s bid for the WBO title failed with a loss to Joseph Parker, but Ryan insists a recent victory over Wilder should earn him a fight with the Usyk-Fury rematch winner or Joshua.
“Obviously we’d love to get a rematch with Parker and have a chance to regain the interim WBO title, but we think Li Zhilei is already in title contention and he’s ranked very high by all the sanctioning bodies,” Ryan said.
Zhang hopes for a rematch with Joseph Parker
“I think he’s been in the top four or five in all his races, and that’s what he deserves, so we think he’s in the championship game and he’s earned his chance regardless of whether he has a rematch with Parker or not. .
Sky Sports Box Office will watch Anthony Joshua take on Daniel Dubois for the IBF world heavyweight title at Wembley on September 21.
