Interim WBO world heavyweight champion Zhang Zhilei stated that he was in talks about a fight with Francis Ngannou, however, the former UFC heavyweight title holder refused to enter the ring with him.
“Initially there were talks about me fighting Ngannou on December 23, and I said: “Okay, this is a walk in the park for me, I’ll take it.” But Ngannou did not want to do this. And then what you see now happened. Big names like Anthony Joshua have started to fill the card. And that's what happened.
I see that everyone is busy with their schedule. But whoever you put in front of me, I will fight him. The decision on the opponent will be made by my team,” Daily Sport quotes Zhilei.