Zhang Zhilei's fists are among the most fearsome in the world — they have recorded a punch force of up to 435 kilograms. There's a reason he's more widely known as the "Big Bang".

Last month, under the bright lights of the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Zhang, standing at just shy of two meters and weighing 130 kg, focused his fierce gaze on his opponent. In the fifth round, his powerful punch delivered a brutal knockout to the United States' "Bronze Bomber", Deontay Wilder.

China's heavyweight boxing superstar Zhang Zhilei has won a number of international honors and helped establish a heavyweight presence for China in the ring. [Photo/Xinhua]

However, despite his ferocity in the ring, outside of it, Zhang is a gentle giant, known for his kindness and approachability. With soft eyes, a small dimple on his right cheek, and a constant, friendly smile, he exudes a warm, personable charm that makes him feel more like a friend than a fierce competitor.

During media interviews, Zhang always says a soft "thank you" after every interaction, no matter how small.

Following his victory over Wilder, Zhang returned to his hometown of Zhengzhou, Henan province, just in time for the wheat harvest. He even offered to help his brother bring in the crop.

"Every time I come back to Zhengzhou, the first thing I do is to eat a bowl of braised noodles," Zhang shared. "Then, the next morning, I always have a bowl of spicy soup. These are Henan specialties that I grew up eating."

At 41, Zhang's career spans two distinct decades, both defined by boxing. Starting in 1998, his dedication saw him win a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. As an amateur boxer, his goal was always to bring honor to his country.

In 2014, Zhang moved to the US and turned pro. The next 10 years were filled with challenges, but through hard work and discipline, he rose from being a rookie boxer, to a top heavyweight contender.

Road to the Podium

Zhang was born in Qianzhangying village of Shenqiu county in Henan. At around the age of 12, his father, hoping to encourage him to lose weight, enrolled him in the county rowing team.

However, instead of shedding pounds, Zhang's weight ballooned to 120kg and, within two years, a growth spurt saw him rise to a height of 1.95 meters.

The rowing team's coach then suggested he try boxing instead. Zhang had no idea what boxing was at the time, only knowing that it involved learning to fight. His father thought learning self-defense would be useful, so, Zhang's journey with boxing began.

"At first, I didn't like it at all. Despite my large size, I lacked technique and power, often getting beaten by smaller opponents," Zhang recalls.

However, after two years of disciplined training, Zhang entered the national championship preliminaries and clinched first place at his debut, which boosted his confidence.

"In the boxing ring, it's a small space with just two people and two outcomes: either you strike or get struck. So, you decide which role to take. Choosing to attack and landing a punch can intimidate your opponent," Zhang explained.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he secured the silver medal, was a pivotal moment for Zhang, and marked China's best performance in the heavyweight category above 91kg.

"I didn't expect to win silver, because heavyweight Chinese boxers weren't highly regarded. Just participating in the Olympics in my weight class was fulfilling enough. My approach in each match was to take it step by step," Zhang said.

"I had actually considered switching to professional boxing during that time, but after weighing up all the factors, I ultimately decided to make one more attempt at the 2012 London Olympics. Regardless of the outcome, I planned to close the door on my amateur career," he recalled.

During his preparations for the London Games, Zhang trained in the US and worked closely with American coaches.

However, Zhang lost to eventual champion, Britain's Anthony Joshua in the quarterfinals.

On Sept 10, 2013, at the 12th National Games in Liaoning province, Zhang clinched his third gold medal in the men's heavyweight (+91kg) category.

After the match, he ceremoniously removed his amateur boxing vest, folded it neatly on the canvas of the ring, knelt down, and kissed it passionately, marking the end of his 15-year amateur career.

Chinese power

In 2014, at over 30 years old, he finally entered professional boxing.

"I would have been filled with regret if, after over a decade in amateur boxing, I hadn't tried professional boxing," he said.

Olympic boxing and professional boxing differ significantly, posing new challenges when he first transitioned.

He recalled introducing himself abroad as an Olympic silver medalist, but many foreign boxers paid little heed to his title, showing their respect by simply saying, "let's see how you perform in the ring".

"In those days, I didn't have many chances to prove myself. Facing a new life, language, financial issues, training and competitive pressures, my love for boxing and my dream to succeed professionally kept me going.

"I left home at 15 to join the Henan provincial boxing team with nothing. Over the next decade, I achieved a lot. Moving to the US for professional boxing, I remembered my 15-year-old self. If I could do it then, I knew I could start over in America," Zhang said.

With this belief, he spent the next decade plying his trade professionally.

Initially, Zhang faced financial hardships, bearing the cost of living, training and competition alone. Early fights offered low pay — with his first bout earning him just $7,500 — leaving him nearly broke at times. He even removed his own stitches after being cut in a match to save $200 in medical costs.

Facing mostly lower-level opponents, Zhang's first US fight in August 2014 ended in 17 seconds with a knockout win. Despite winning over twenty matches, he struggled to get fights against top boxers or advance his skills.

Reflecting on that time, Zhang emphasized his disciplined routine: "I focused on sleeping, eating well, and boxing hard every day." He trained rigorously from Monday to Saturday and relaxed on Sundays at the shooting range, which he found beneficial for honing his hand-eye coordination, an essential attribute in the ring.

Zhang has adopted "Big Bang" as his ring name, but not for the reason many might expect. While he does have a fearsome punch, he said he was aiming to spark a revolution in the world of professional boxing. "Just as the Big Bang marks the beginning of the universe, I wanted to make a similar impact in the boxing world," Zhang explained.

In 2023, Zhang recorded an important victory over British boxer Joe Joyce, securing the WBO interim heavyweight title. However, he faced a setback earlier this year, losing to former world champion, New Zealander Joseph Parker.

After the stunning win over Wilder, though, Zhang is now preparing for his next bout, and confirmed that his team is in talks with three potential opponents. It will be either a rematch with Parker, a chance for revenge against Joshua or a meeting with Germany's Agit Kabayel.

"I hope the fight happens by the end of this year, ideally in China," Zhang said. At 41 years old, Zhang sees no limit to his career trajectory.

"For me, boxing is a mission. I want to showcase Chinese boxing worldwide," Zhang declared. "My boxing journey continues.

"As I always say in the ring: 'I am Big Bang, representing Chinese power!'"

Tracking Success delivers the inside story for global sports fans, exploring what makes elite performers tick, and providing insight into their biggest and most intriguing moments on and off the field of play.

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