A little over a year ago, the casual boxing fan would likely not have known who Zhilei Zhang was.

He had just come off the back of a defeat to Filip Hrgovic, losing by unanimous decision with little direction in his career, 39 years old and time, in all honesty, running out.

Then, he swelled Joe Joyce’s face, backed it up by knocking him clean out, and showed the world what he was truly capable of.

It seemed the heavyweight division had a new star, peaking later in life than could have been imagined and ready to challenge at the very top.

A shock loss to Joseph Parker has put a major dent in that. But it’s not over yet, not according to Zhang himself.

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Zhilei Zhang (pictured) has revealed he is still looking to fight either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk

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The 41-year-old had been catapulted up the heavyweight division but suffered a shock loss to Joseph Parker (right) last time out

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Fury (left) nd Usyk will do battle this week as the heavyweight division looks to crown an undisputed champion

‘I lost fair and square,’ the heavyweight exclusively tells Mail Sport, speaking on behalf of Free Bets. ‘When I look back at that fight, I think I learned a lot from the experience.

‘I actually underestimated Parker, I had to admit. But at the same time, it’s a great lesson. It’s very valuable lesson for me and my team to learn. I would say that I learned a lot from that fight, and I’m coming back stronger.’

Next up is Wilder. One of the biggest punchers in the game, also in the twilight of his career and looking to climb the ladder one last time.

Whoever stumbles in Saudi Arabia on June 1 will likely fall all the way to the bottom, any prospects of a title push all but over. It’s an important fight.

‘Everything is going well,’ Zhang says, thankful to be asked how he is doing. ‘My strength conditioning coach, Dave – he goes by the name Scooter – and my boxing coach, Sean George, we’re all working together.

‘I have three wonderful sparring partners in this camp. Everything is ready. Everything has been processing very well.

‘This fight is very important to me, just like any other previous fights. I look at all my fights like they are the most important of my career, and then look at all of my opponent, including Wilder as my toughest challenge.

‘It is one of the fights in my career, that’s how I look at it. It’s just one fight in my career. But Wilder is a hell of an opponent. I really respect him, he has the punching power, and he has the ability to end the fight any time he wants, if he chooses to.

‘When I approached this fight, I was very careful, I was very cautious, but at the same time, I punch hard, too, and everybody knows that when my punch lands, it’s no joke, so let’s see what happens.’

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Next up, he will face off against Deontay Wilder (second right) with the pair set to do battle on June 1

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Zhang secured back-to-back victories over Joe Joyce (left) last year to climb the heavyweight division ladder

The ultimate aim will depend on what happens this weekend in the Middle East. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will do battle in one of the biggest heavyweight fights of all time to crown and undisputed champion once and for all.

The man who emerges victorious will have a major target on their back. There will likely be a rematch, Anthony Joshua will have a say, but other members of the division are on red alert.

‘Based on what I have seen on social media, I think both of the fighters are coming in great shape,’ Zhang says. ‘My gut feeling is leaning towards to Tyson Fury winning by decision.

‘I think size matters in this ring when it comes to the heavyweight division. Tyson Fury, taller, he has a longer reach, and he’s more flexible. Usyk is going to the fight being the smaller guy. I think it’s going to be pretty difficult for Usyk on the night.

‘I have somebody in front of me, but my goal has never changed. It will always be the world championship that that I’m searching for. So no matter who wins, that’s my final goal.’

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He has revealed his ambition to have a world title fight in his home country of Chine one day

The ultimate dream is to fight in China as the boxing superstar he has become, a world title in hand. Zhang last fought in his home country in 2018, knocking out Don Haynesworth in a college gym.

Never has a heavyweight world title been defended in China. Xiong Zhaozhong won the WBC mini-flyweight title in 2012 in his home country, defending it there twice, but this is a completely different kettle of fish.

It’s about winning, getting to the very top, and giving his country something to be proud of, for Zhang.

‘My team and I have to overcome a lot of obstacles to make this happen in China, but I’m still very passionate about doing this over there,’ he says. It means a lot for me personally, and also for the fans in China.

‘I think they never had a chance to witness a world title, heavyweight championship, in front of their doorstep. So by doing that, I believe that gives them what they deserve.’