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Zhang Zhilei says he is happy to inspire young Chinese to become boxers as he prepares to try to get one step closer to taking the world heavyweight belts on Friday (March 8).

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) interim global champion is finally closing in on becoming world king at heavyweight at the age of 40 - 16 years after he won a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.

Now the Chinese powerhouse believes he is taking on the of mantle of role model for his nation's young fighters as he looks to influence youngsters into following in his footsteps in the ring.

Zhilei defeated Englishman Joe Joyce for a second time in London last September and now puts his interim crown on the line against Joseph Parker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this week.

"After this last fight with Joyce, I went back to the Chinese national team to visit my former coaches and I heard from them that the youth boxing in China is doing very, very well and the generation building of Chinese boxing is very good, better than when our time. More young Chinese are engaging with this sport," he told CGTN Europe.

Zhang Zhilei is hoping Chinese youngsters will follow in his footsteps. /CFP

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If he beats New Zealander Parker at the Kingdom Arena, Zhilei would love to fight for the world championship in the famous Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing which hosted the 2008 Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, athletics and men's football final.

It remains his ambition after a long and distinguished career which ramps up to a whole new level on Friday as chief support for the Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou heavyweight showdown on the 'Knockout Chaos' bill.

One fight of key relevance to the Chinese is WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO king Oleksandr Usyk's undisputed clash against WBC champ Tyson Fury in Riyadh on May 18. 'Big Bang' Zhilei could even take on the winner.

"If we can have a world-class championship match in the Bird's Nest Stadium, it will leave a strong mark in Chinese boxing history," vowed Zhilei, who has based his training camp in the Saudi capital for the past fortnight.