US promoter touts Henan southpaw as hottest prospect since Klitschkos

The way Dino Duva figures it, the next great power surge in global boxing will be supplied by China's Zhang Zhilei, super heavyweight silver medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

And the American promoter knows of what he speaks, having worked with some of the all-time greats - including George Foreman, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.

The irony is that the 6-foot-6, 245-pound Zhang wouldn't be getting the opportunity had he been a less cumbersome canoeist as a teenager. The 31-year-old from Henan province first donned the gloves at age 15 after getting too heavy to properly pilot a racing canoe - his first athletic love.

"I knew nothing at all about boxing, but once I started going to the gym and training, I really liked it," Zhang said through an interpreter at a New York media conference this week, after signing a pro contract with Duva's Dynasty Boxing.

"I grew up watching videos of Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and the Klitschkos," he said, referring to Ukrainian brothers Wladimir and Vitali, who have ruled boxing's showcase division for the past decade.

"I hope I can be like them and win a golden belt someday, too. In amateurs the fights are short and points mean everything. You fight a couple of different bouts in a tournament to win the whole thing. Professional boxing is much different. There are more rounds and more strategies, so it is very important to always be in top condition."

That is what Duva is counting on - Zhang's age not withstanding.

"This is a very special big guy who has the whole package: size, athleticism, good looks and great personality. But more important, he knows how to fight. His style is much more pro than amateur.

"He was on our radar for several years, and I believe once fans get a look at him, he will be the talk of the heavyweight division. He is a southpaw boxer-puncher with good power and nice footwork. I believe he is the most important big man to hit boxing since the Klitschkos turned pro in 1996."

Duva got to know Zhang - and his Olympic roommate, Zou Shiming - during a series of training camps he helped organize for China's national team, starting five years ago. He waited for Zhang to end his amateur career in 2012 before applying through government channels to turn him professional.

Zhang will live and train in New Jersey and could make his punch-for-pay debut as soon as May, in either China or the US. A trainer has not yet been retained, but in the meantime Duva has recruited a strength and conditioning coach with the National Hockey League's New York Rangers to evaluate Zhang.

"It is a process," said Duva. "I want to give him a solid month of strength and conditioning and two solid months of high-intensity boxing training to make sure he is totally prepared for his pro debut."

While conceding it's too early to plot a realistic timeline, Duva believes Zhang could be in position to challenge for a championship within two years.

"The big guys are different than boxers in lower weight divisions, he said. "They don't have to fight as often, for one thing. I think if he stays healthy and he is winning, Zhang could be ready after 12 or 15 fights.

"This is just the start. It is a sincere pleasure to get back into the promotion business with special Chinese boxers being a major part of it. As we go forward we will be looking to promote other great boxers to help develop the sport in what is becoming the hottest boxing market in the world."

murraygreig@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/15/2014 page15)