Frank Warren says Anthony Joshua vs Zhilei Zhang is ‘no-brainer’ but AJ won’t risk it

Frank Warren does not believe Anthony Joshua would be willing to risk a fight with Zhilei Zhang.

‘Big Bang’ Zhang lived up to his nickname on Saturday night when he knocked out Joe Joyce in spectacular fashion, having also won their first fight by stoppage.

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Zhang was dominant in his rematch win over JoyceCredit: Getty

This makes Zhang the mandatory challenger for WBO world champion Oleksandr Usyk, but he will have to wait for IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic to fight the Ukrainian first.

And either way, Zhang seems more interested in taking on Tyson Fury next, as he called him out after his latest victory.

But, another fight that has been suggested is Zhang vs Anthony Joshua, although AJ is currently in talks to fight Deontay Wilder next.

The pair had originally been expected to fight early next year, but negotiations are stalling, and AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn has said Joshua could fight in the meantime in December and now Zhang could be a potential opponent.

Warren, however, thinks Joshua will avoid this fight, as there is too much risk and if he loses it could jeopardise a future clash with Wilder.

“Zhang has announced his arrival on the world stage, he’s in the top four heavyweights in the world, that was a magnificent knockout, he boxed extremely well the fight before against a very tough and able and unbeaten opponent in Joe Joyce, so he’s there now and he’s got a seat at the table,” Warren told talkSPORT.

“Him against Joshua is a no-brainer, but I don’t think they’ll risk the fight against Zhang.”

Warren continued by giving a prediction for a Zhang vs Joshua fight, saying: “He’s got a good chin, he’s taken a couple of good shots in fights, but more importantly he can bang.

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And next up there have been calls for Zhang to fight JoshuaCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom

“And I know that if he catches Joshua with one of them it will be lights out, there’s no doubt about that.”

It appear, however, that Warren may be wrong about Joshua being unwilling to fight Zhang, as Hearn told iFL TV: “AJ’s always fancied that fight, he beat him in the amateurs, it was a good fight.”

And as for whether the fight could happen in China, Hearn added: “Yeah course, money talks.

“We can talk about that fight no problem.

“We want to make the Deontay Wilder fight, Zhang’s an easier fight, but still dangerous. Why not?”