Anthony Joshua ‘turned down rematch with Zhang’ with Joe Joyce’s upcoming opponent desperate for revenge after Olympics
ZHILEI ZHANG has accused Anthony Joshua of turning down the chance to face him again following their bout in the Olympics.
The 6ft 6in 278-pounder fights Joe Joyce at the Copper Box tonight for the WBO interim title.
It comes 11 years after he boxed Joshua in the 2012 Olympic quarter-finals, losing the super-heavyweight bout on points.
But over a decade later and Zhang is still out for revenge and claimed he attempted a rematch this year following his own loss to Filip Hrgovic, 30.
Although AJ later went on to face Jermaine Franklin, 29, in his comeback bout, winning on points at the start of April.
Zhang told the , via : "So, after the Hrgovic fight, my team reached out to Joshua’s team and tried to make the fight happen, but we had no confirmation from them, nothing solid.
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"My team did reach out, there were a few conversations and then there was silence, with no outcome. Do I look at it as a no from him? Maybe."
Joshua, 33, went on to win gold at the London Games, setting up a two-time world title winning career in the professional ranks.
Zhang, 39, captured silver and has championship aspirations of his own, including a rematch with AJ.
He added: "I wish I could fight him again after our encounter in the Olympics, it would be a great fight in the professional division."
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Joyce, 37, is the mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk's title and will defend that position against Zhang, who is eyeing a crack at the belt.
He said: "If I win this fight, I want Usyk next. This fight is a WBO interim heavyweight title and also gives me a mandatory position.
"So, Usyk would be next for me following a win against Joe Joyce."
