An explosive glove story

陈小将

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.

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.