Zhang Tells Hearn To ‘Send Over The Contract’ For An AJ Fight

In the latest boxing news, Zhilei Zhang has called on Eddie Hearn to honor his words over a fight with Anthony Joshua by making an offer.

Zhang is the current WBO heavyweight interim champion after having beaten Joe Joyce consecutively to put himself in line for a shot at the winner of Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk.

In the aftermath of that win, Hearn was open to the idea of putting Joshua against the Chinese given that it would be a lucrative bout that could bring Joshua one step closer to winning a world title.

Zhang, however, appeared more focused on facing Fury after having called out the Gypsy King in the aftermath. Nevertheless, the tune might now have changed with the heavyweight urging Hearn to back up his word.

Zhang On Joshua

“I think Joshua is a big option for me considering Fury and Usyk have signed for a unification fight to happen next. I have history with Anthony Joshua, and I used to be with Matchroom Boxing, but they never wanted to make the fight with me. All of a sudden, there is now talk from Eddie Hearn about a fight between myself and Anthony Joshua, but I never saw anything materialize with the fight.

“If they are really interested, I am here 24/7 so send over the contract and we will get it on. When I was with Matchroom, my team spoke to Matchroom face to face, and they knew I wanted the fight, but they never decided to make it for whatever reason. I can go to London for the fight with Joshua, Saudi Arabia is an option or even China,” Zhang

Nevertheless, the chances of a fight happening anytime soon appear to be slim. Joshua has been constantly linked with a Deontay Wilder fight, despite the collapse of the bout in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua Vs. Ngannou

In addition, Francis Ngannou has appeared as a credible opponent following his commendable performance against Tyson Fury.

Although the former UFC heavyweight champion lost on the scorecards via a split decision, the fighter’s stock has risen which is why Hearn was not against the idea of a Joshua vs. Ngannou bout.

“I went back to AJ and I said, ‘Look, I’ve met with Francis Ngannou, what a lovely gentlemen, what do you think?’ And he went, ‘I’m not interested. I don’t like the gimmick stuff. I just want to win the world heavyweight championship.’ So I’m like, OK….Now I’m looking at it and I’m thinking, Francis Ngannou against Anthony Joshua, perhaps in Africa, perhaps the Rumble in the Jungle 2, is one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport. And I promise you this, respect to Francis — easy work for my man [Joshua]. And I know you’re getting a little high right now, I know the MMA world is just walking in the clouds, but we’ll bring it straight back down to reality,” Hearn said