Zhilei Zhang is gearing up for a major showdown against the unbeaten German-Kurdish heavyweight Agit Kabayel on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch tomorrow in Riyadh. With a remarkable record of 27-2, the 41-year-old boxer is set to go all out in a fierce attempt to claim the WBC Interim World Heavyweight title.

As we talk about the high-stakes match, many are wondering about the people who have stood by Zhang, supporting him throughout his boxing journey. Who are the people behind his success? So let’s take a deeper dive into the family that made it all possible for Zhilei Zhang.

Who Are Zhang Zhilei’s Parents?

Do you know who initially sparked the idea in Zhang Zhilei to become a boxer? It was his parents. Standing at 1.76 meters or 5.7 feet, Zhang Tan wasn’t exceptionally tall, nor was his wife, Deng Yuying, who stood at just over 1.6 meters. Despite this, their son grew up to be a towering figure in the world of boxing, standing at a commanding 6.6 feet and weighing in at 280 lbs. Zhang’s physical growth was apparent from a young age. He was notably taller than his peers. By the age of 13, he had already reached a height of over 5.8 feet. And this was something that caught the eye of Zhang Tan. So what did he do?

As his son struggled with his weight and body image, his father enrolled him in rowing and canoeing at the age of 12, hoping it would help him shed some pounds. But the universe already had something else planned for his son. As the young boy found it difficult to adjust to standard canoes due to his height, he decided to switch gears and pursue a different sport. It was then that boxing caught Zhilei Zhang’s interest. So, was the family against his decision? Absolutely not.

In 2008, Zhang made waves at the Beijing Workers’ Stadium, where he participated in the Olympics. However, his parents couldn’t be there to cheer him on in person. The reason? Well, there was a lack of live broadcasts in China. Despite that, when Zhilei Zhang had set a new record – the first time a Chinese boxer won a medal in the unlimited weight class category at the Olympics, his father couldn’t contain his excitement. He proudly shouted, “Zhilei won a medal in the Olympics!”

Zhang Zhilei’s Brother, Sister, and Background

Born in Qianzhangying village in the Henan Province of China, Zhilei Zhang grew up as the youngest of three siblings. Were they also as towering as the Big Bang? The answer is, no. His elder brother and sister were of average height. However, they too had their roles in supporting their younger brother. Despite his brother working in the county, and his sister living in the nearby city of Zhoukou, both kept a close eye on Zhang’s journey. They would regularly update their parents about his progress.

Zhilei Zhang’s path to the top wasn’t easy. He began his professional career at the age of 30, leaving his wife, Jiang Huanhuan, and their young son, in China to pursue boxing in the United States. However, Zhang’s transition from amateur to professional boxing in 2014 wasn’t easy at all. The reason? It’s the language barriers, cultural adjustments, and financial struggles. Sounds obvious, right? But the struggle wasn’t for long. The presence of key figures in his life, such as his trainer Shaun George, and co-manager Kurt Li, helped shape his career. They supported him through the tough times, and with George’s guidance, Zhang was able to refine his technique and achieve impressive victories.

Zhang’s perseverance paid off when he made history in 2023 by securing the WBO Interim Heavyweight title, by knocking out Joe Joyce for the first time in April. The celebration was all the sweeter when he clinched another victory against the same opponent just 4 months later. However, despite his fame, Zhang remains humble and always remembers the sacrifices his family made to help him get to where he is today.

As Zhilei Zhang prepares for his fight against Agit Kabayel, it’s clear that behind every great boxer is a family that believes in them. With that said, how do you feel about Zhang’s transition from Olympic boxing to professional boxing? Was it a good decision for him?