In a historic showdown on June 1, Zhang Zhilei of the Chinese mainland secured the biggest win of his professional boxing career by defeating former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder with a fifth-round knockout at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Following his triumphant victory, Zhang shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with CGTN Sports Scene. Reflecting on his role beyond the ring, the veteran fighter spoke about being seen as an \\"ambassador\\" for not only his country but also the sport of boxing.
\\"This is very important to me because I represent China,\\" Zhang stated. He reminisced about his time in the Olympics, where athletes strive to uphold their nation's honor. \\"Before turning professional in boxing, the Olympic Games were our highest honor. We represented our country and fought for its honor,\\" he explained.
Even after transitioning to professional boxing, Zhang emphasized his continuous representation of the Chinese mainland on the international stage. \\"Although, after turning professional I no longer represent the national team. When I step out of China, I represent China, because we Chinese have never been involved in heavyweight boxing before,\\" he added.
Zhang Zhilei's victory is not just a personal achievement but also a significant moment for the Chinese mainland in the realm of heavyweight boxing. As he continues to break barriers, his success paves the way for future athletes from his region to enter and excel in the global sports arena.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
