Chinese heavyweight boxer Zhang Zhilei has endured weeks of bruising sparring sessions to get ready to face Britain's Joe Joyce for the second time in five months.

In an exclusive interview with CGTN Europe, the WBO interim heavyweight champion outlines his intensive preparation for the September 23 fight at London's Wembley Arena, his hopes to fight Tyson Fury in his home country and his desperation to make history for China.

With reports that Joyce has put on weight since losing their first encounter, Zhang has introduced three new sparring partners familiar with the brutal heavyweight world - Alonzo Neal, Dimitri Besuz and Mariusz Wach - to help get into shape. 

"What we should do now is doing our best and we are fully prepared for this training camp," said Zhang who secured the WBO interim title in April by stopping the previously unbeaten Joyce in round six in London.

"This time we have a new physical trainer, a physical therapist, and a Chinese massage therapist. And I hired three more sparring partners to target Joyce.

"It is said that Joyce has a high punching frequency. I hired Alonzo Neal, one of the sparring partners. Alonso punched more than Joyce. It is said that Joyce punched heavily. Dimitri Besuz's punches were heavier than him. 

"It is said that Joyce gained weight, so I hired Polish sparring partner Mariusz Wach, who weighed more than 300 pounds and was much heavier than him. I took turns fighting the three of them, so it's no problem."

Following his famous victory in the UK capital, Zhang had hoped to challenge WBC champion Fury, but his hopes were dashed with Joyce exercising his contractual right to a rematch.

"Before the rematch with Joyce, we were in talks with Tyson Fury's team, and we were basically at the point where we were almost done," Zhang added.

"Then maybe Joyce saw that the match between me and Tyson Fury was about to reach an agreement, so he jumped out and said that he wanted to start a rematch. 

"Because there was such an agreement during the first battle, we had to abide by this agreement. There is no other way but to choose to accept this second battle. I like to challenge the strong, because now Tyson Fury is also relatively strong." 

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Just five months ago, inside London's Copperbox Arena, Zhang celebrated his victory over Joyce by screaming two words - "Chinese power" towards the TV cameras at ringside, highlighting his fierce patriotism and personal ambitions.

As well as dreaming of becoming world champion, Zhang, born in Zhoukou, Henan before moving to the U.S., is desperate to put China on the sporting map. 

"Boxing is now a very popular event in China," said Zhang, who goes by the nickname 'Big Bang.' "Professional boxing in China is slowly recovering now. I have also seen a lot of news in China recently. Various professional competitions are held in different places. 

"Professional boxing in China is now slowly recovering from the epidemic, which is a very, very good thing for Chinese boxing. 

"If I have the opportunity, I would like to fight in one of the world's top boxing championships in China. Whether it is Tyson Fury, or anyone else. It can all be done in China. If conditions permit, I hope to compete in China.

"I feel that this is the glory of the entire nation because there are no Chinese in the world's heavyweights. The Chinese have never participated in heavyweight competitions, nor in the world. 

"The best inheritance of history is to create new history. The characteristic of our Chinese nation is to strive for self-improvement. I feel that men should strengthen themselves, and Chinese people should strengthen themselves. 

"So I hope I can use my efforts and my actions to win glory for this nation."

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