Is Derek Chisora Vs. Zhilei Zhang Next?

Zhilei Zhang wants to take on Derek Chisora, with the Chinese heavyweight’s team saying the ball is in the Brit’s court. 

Zhang’s team has confirmed that they are now waiting on Chisora’s camp to say whether they want to go ahead with a December 13 Manchester, England, fight. Chisora expects his next fight to be his last, meaning it is vital he chooses an opponent that will offer fans value for money, as well as giving him a chance to win on his final appearance. 

Zhang is seeking to bounce back from his defeat against Agit Kabayel in February, where he was knocked out. The Chinese also suffered a loss to Joseph Parker in March 2024. However, three wins from five saw him beat Deontay Wilder in June 2024 by stoppage, as well as Joe Joyce twice in consecutive KOs. 

Chisora is in impressive form, securing victories over Joyce in July 2024 and Otto Wallin in February. The Brit has developed a reputation for facing anyone, which was shown in his post-fight comments after Wallin, as he called out the likes of AJ, Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois. Those names are no longer under consideration, as Zhang could get the fight.

The Approach

Zhang’s game plan is based on using his immense physical size and his devastating one-punch knockout power, particularly from his straight left hand. As a southpaw, his advantage is to use his powerful rear hand (the left) for a straight shot down the middle or a concussive counter-hook. Against Chisora, Zhang will seek to establish his long, stiff jab early to manage distance and prevent Chisora from closing the gap. If Chisora attempts to close the distance, Zhang will step back to create the space for a straight left. Zhang’s greatest weakness remains his stamina, a vulnerability that Agit Kabayel and Joseph Parker successfully exploited.

Chisora is the an aggressive pressure fighter. His strategy is to march forward, cut off the ring, and force his opponent into a gruelling, high-volume fight in the center or on the ropes. Chisora’s best chance is to survive the early rounds by employing a tight high guard and using persistent, subtle head movement, minimizing the impact of Zhang’s power shots. Chisora must implement a sustained body attack from the opening bell, similar to the blueprint Kabayel used, to drain Zhang’s gas tank.