AFTER suffering his first knockout defeat 11 months ago, Zhilei Zhang is looking forward to returning to action and proving he can still become China’s first heavyweight world champion.

Considered a bogeyman after twice breaking Joe Joyce’s granite chin, many fight fans elected Zhang as world champion after waiting just two years – only after a surprise defeat to Joseph Parker thwarted his plans and stripped him of his WBO interim title.

Zhang returned to winning ways, decisively stopping Deontay Wilder and gaining a chance for the interim WBC belt with Agit Kabayel, but there the Chinese southerner suffered his first long-distance defeat, even though the German was eliminated in the fifth round of the February fight.

Speaking to Boxing News Online, Zhang gave full credit to Kabayel as he reflected on the fight, but admitted he still had confidence after his performance.

“Kabayel is a very talented and outstanding newborn fighter. In this fight I controlled the action early. From the third round Kabayel increased his punching power and my changes were not made quickly enough.

“I lost control and my rhythm was disrupted. Still, I knocked him down in the fifth round. Even though I lost the fight, I’m still very confident in myself and my skills.”

Of course, the defeat tarnished Zhang’s identity as an unbreakable juggernaut, but manager Terry Lane explained why he believes his fighter will look better than ever in his next outing, despite his first knockout defeat and a frustrating 11-month layoff.

“I think Zhilei will react well after the defeat because he underwent surgery immediately after the Kabayel fight.

“In March, he traveled to China to remove calcium deposits and bone fragments from his right elbow, which had caused him extreme pain for most of his professional career. The procedure was successful and he felt immediate relief. Not having to deal with that pain could be a game-changer. But you never know, he lost some time.”

“There is always a risk of encountering ring rust, but Zhilei i [his trainer] Shaun [George]We went back to the gym in the summer. He’s ready to go.”

Regardless of the operation, Zhang’s lack of activity is not his fault and he agrees to a deal in which both will have to face both Fabio Wardley In the second half of 2025, according to Lane and Derek Chisora.

That hiatus appears to be coming to an end as the armed forces veteran plans to return to fighting in the UK, where his fan-friendly fighting style and infectious personality is beloved, to face a British opponent in April.

“We expect Zhilei to be in the ring in early April. We have been in constant contact with Queensberry over the last seven months about various ideas. I think boxing fans may be surprised by the number of fights that Zhang claimed to have agreed to that never materialized.

“I think people are aware of the Chisora ​​fight that was supposed to take place in December – a fight that we would still love if Chisora ​​changed his mind – but even before that we said yes to Wardley. Again, this is a fight Zhang will take if Wardley agrees to it.

“Fury, Dubois and Wardley are at the top of Zhilei’s ‘wish list’ for his next fight. A fight with ‘The Gypsy King’ would be frosty. The build-up and fight itself would be crazy, but I see Zhilei holding Fury back.”

“I think the fight makes sense because they are both top heavyweights coming off losses, and yes, Dubois is our target as well. Both fights make sense for us and the division.

“I think he’s still the hardest puncher in the division, which always makes him threatening. A large win in his next fight would absolutely give him a shot at the world title.”

At 42 years venerable and coming off a losing streak, many fans will write Zhang off as they wish he could return to title contention, but they argue that power is the last thing that goes away, and the Zhoukou-born brute undeniably has plenty of it.

In the eyes of “Substantial Bang”, Kabayel’s match was more of a failure than a sign of Father Time defeating him. Instead, he remains as determined and confident as ever ahead of his 2026 schedule, where he believes he can achieve his goal of bringing the belt back to China while also becoming the second-oldest heavyweight champion of all time.

“Plans for 2026 can change quickly, so whether it’s an crucial fight or a world title fight, I will always give my all. My goal has never changed – to become world champion.

“I never thought about how many fights I had left. I will fight until I can’t fight anymore. And now I can still fight.”

As for potential opposition, Zhang highlighted the trio of Brits ahead of his April appearance, discussing who is on his hit list and why.

“Daniel Dubois – he is a tough man in the ring and cordial outside, which makes him an extremely fascinating opponent.

“Fabio Wardley – titleholder. My team was approached about this opportunity for October 2025, but the fight went to Parker instead.

“Tyson Fury – I always wanted this fight. We almost made it in ’23 before Joyce introduced the rematch clause.”

With further belts fragmenting, Zhang’s ambitions are both realistic and achievable on the 2026 calendar, but a second straight defeat in this ambitious April bout could well dash the dreams of one of boxing’s most lovable operators.