(September 30, 2018) – Roc Nation heavyweight boxer Zhang Zhilei and super middleweight boxer Junior Younan made triumphant returns to China and Brooklyn, respectively, where they each delivered sensational knockouts in front of their hometown fans.
For Zhilei (20-0, 16 KOs), he dazzled in his appearance in Changsha, China on Friday, when he recorded a third-round knockout over Donald Haynesworth (15-3-1, 13 KOs) to retain his WBO Oriental Heavyweight title. The showing marked Zhilei’s first fight in China since January 21, 2017, when he defeated Peter Graham to claim his championship belt. Zhang is now ranked No. 6 in the WBO World Heavyweight ratings and firmly establishing himself into world title contention.
Meanwhile, Younan (14-0, 10 KOs) wasted little time with his veteran opponent Evert Bravo (24-9-1, 18 KOs), dispatching him via first-round knockout at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. It was quite a performance for Younan, who hadn’t fought in Brooklyn – and in front of his hometown friends and family – since his bout against Mike Sawyer the Barclays Center on June 6, 2015.
“I’m proud of Zhilei and Junior’s performances and glad they had an opportunity to enjoy these victories in their home areas,” Roc Nation Sports promoter Dino Duva said. “Overall, this was a fantastic weekend for Roc Nation Boxing and we look forward to sharing details for Junior and Zhilei’s next fights in the near future.”
Given Zhilei’s statement victory, Roc Nation Sports is working to negotiate an opportunity for the 35-year-old to fight a world class heavyweight contender for his next bout. Duva is tentatively looking at scheduling that fight for November 24 in Monaco.
He is also evaluating options for Younan’s next opponent as soon as possible as the Brooklyn native continues his ascension in the super middleweight rankings.
Header photo by Marilyn Paulino
