Zhilei Zhang gives brutal advice to Anthony Joshua for Francis Ngannou fight in face-to-face encounter

07/03/2024 18:03

Zhilei Zhang has told Anthony Joshua to go in for the kill for his upcoming fight with Francis Ngannou.

The British heavyweight will touch gloves with ex-UFC champion Ngannou in a blockbuster meeting on Friday night.

He has been taking part in media events alongside some of sport’s biggest stars during fight week including Cristiano Ronaldo, Tyson Fury as well as fellow heavyweight Zhang.

The Chinese giant will take on Joseph Parker in the chief support contest, with his own intentions of cementing a world title shot.

Zhang previously was dropped by Joshua in the 2012 Olympics, but the pair have huge respect for one another.

During a brief meeting, Zhang hijacked an interview Joshua was giving with the media to hand him some quick advice.

“Kill him,” he shouted at Joshua before shaking hands with the former champion.

Joshua’s reaction was priceless, keeping an extremely straight face as if not to break his stern business-like approach to the interview.

It is going to be a tough night for AJ, who needs a win to potentially face the winner of Tyson Fury’s fight with Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed titles.

His promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested that Joshua has to win at all costs if he is to continue his career.

“I mean it isn’t great is it? Losing to a 0-1 MMA fighter, we know he is UFC heavyweight champion and has somewhat of a boxing background,” Hearn said on talkSPORT.

“But you shouldn’t really be losing to guys who haven’t been competing at the highest level of the sport. But we have seen against Tyson Fury what he is capable of.

“This is the one division where anything can happen, you aren’t fighting lightweights and middleweights, you are fighting a big strong puncher who isn’t afraid to let his hands go.

“So when these guys let their hands go, anything can happen.”

Joshua has linked up with new trainer Ben Davison, who oversaw his much-improved performance against Otto Wallin last time out.

It is a big year for the former world champion, who could face a shot at regaining the title if he wins in a mandatory IBF title clash against Filip Hrgovic.