Zhang had an impressive run early in his career. He went undefeated in his first 25 fights and made a big splash with back-to-back knockout wins over Joe Joyce in 2023. But things have been rocky lately. He lost a close decision to Joseph Parker, then bounced back with a fifth-round knockout of Deontay Wilder in June 2024.
His most recent fight didn't go well. Agit Kabayel stopped Zhang inside five rounds in February 2025. It was a punishing defeat, with Kabayel landing some brutal body shots.
At 41, Zhang's at a crossroads. Some thought he might hang up the gloves after the Kabayel fight, but he's vowed to keep going. Now there's talk he could face Anthony Joshua.
Joshua's also looking for a comeback fight. He lost his IBF heavyweight title to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, getting stopped in five rounds. At 35, Joshua's not done yet, but he needs the right opponent to get back on track.
A fight with Zhang could make sense for both guys. For Zhang, it's probably his last chance to get back to the big time. For Joshua, Zhang's a big name without too much risk – it could be perfect timing.
There's some history between these two. They fought as amateurs, with Joshua winning after scoring a knockdown. A pro rematch could be interesting.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, talked about AJ's comeback options in an interview with iFL TV. While Zhang's name came up, there are other possibilities too. Deontay Wilder, Agit Kabayel, Joseph Parker, and a rematch with Daniel Dubois are all in the mix. There's even talk of Tyson Fury coming out of retirement or a fight with Jarrell Miller.
For now, it's all speculation. But a Zhang-Joshua fight could be an exciting way for both fighters to get back on track.