Stakes high for Zhang showdown
Only an emphatic win can fast-track Chinese fighter's world-title dreams
It's no exaggeration to suggest Zhang Zhilei will be fighting for his boxing life when he climbs through the ropes to face fellow southpaw Jerry Forrest on Saturday night in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Their 10-round heavyweight clash is the featured prelim to a title defense by Mexican WBC/WBA super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez against Turkey's Avni Yildirim at Hard Rock Stadium, and will be telecast live worldwide on DAZN.
The 6-foot-6, 260-pound (1.98-meter, 118-kilogram) Zhang, from Zhoukou, Henan province, is returning to action following an impressive KO of Devin Vargas in November that raised his record to 22-0, with 17 stoppages.