HOLLYWOOD, Fla.—A language barrier still exists for Zhang ‘Big Bang’ Zhilei wherever he roams in the United States, though he can’t help but smile when onlookers stare in admiration and curiosity over his mere presence.
It can be a long gaze, someone pointing in his direction or taking a picture as he passes by. In this corner of the world, the 6’6” heavyweight doesn’t need a translator to understand the questions being asked.
“It’s always the same, they see me and want to know who I am and what I do,” Zhilei noted to BoxingScene.com, through translator and co-advisor Kurt Li. “All they see is a big guy from China. They don’t know me here yet but I’m not concerned. I know that will change soon.”
Zhilei (21-0, 16KOs) has been provided a path to make a splash in the U.S. market beginning with this weekend’s appearance on DAZN. The 2008 Olympic Silver medalist from Zhoukou, China—whom also served on China’s 2012 squad which competed in London—takes on Toledo’s Devin Vargas (22-6, 9KOs) this Saturday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
The battle of Olympic heavyweights—Vargas fighting on the 2004 U.S. team which competed in Athens—comes in supporting capacity to unbeaten lightweight titlist Devin Haney’s showdown with Miami’s Yuriorkis Gamboa, a 2004 Olympic Gold medalist and former featherweight titlist. Another heavyweight bout appears on the show, as Croatia’s Filip Hrgoviç (11-0, 9KOs)—who captured a Bronze medals in the 2016 Rio Olympics—faces Detroit’s Rydell Booker (26-3, 13KOs) in the evening’s chief support.
Suffice to say, Zhilei literally has to fight his way for attention on Saturday’s show but—through sheer size and his in-ring performance—has a chance to stand out from the rest of the pack for the right reasons. It’s far more than has been afforded his career to this point.
“This is his first official fight since signing with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom,” Tommy Lane, Zhilei’s co-advisor told BoxingScene.com. “We were with Roc Nation Sports for his previous fights. They did not really promote any shows. So, while a lot of boxing people know of Zhang Zhilei, they don’t really know him or have seen him fight.
“Now fighting for a real promoter on a platform to broadcast his skills where fight fans can see him fight, that means the world to his career. This being his first true fight with Matchroom is huge for the entire team.”
Zhilei—who trains under former light heavyweight and cruiserweight contender Shaun George—has spent the majority of his career in the U.S., with all but five of his 21 bouts taking place on American soil. Lacking has been any of the notoriety that has come with his four fights back home, though with the hope of changing that perception beginning with a ‘Big Bang’ of a performance this weekend.
“When I fight in China everybody knows me,” notes Zhilei. “They come to see me fight. I am their heavyweight. When I fight here in the United States, most people look at me and say, “Wow, you are big. Who are you?” They don’t know me yet but my job takes place inside the ring, and to focus on my opponent.
“As long as I continue to perform well, I’m not concerned about what takes place outside the ring. I know the time will come when everyone knows who I am no matter where I go.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
