China's Zhang Zhilei scored the biggest win of his professional boxing career on June 1 after beating former World Boxing Council (WBC) world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder via fifth-round knockout at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
During an exclusive interview with CGTN Sports Scene following his victory, the veteran fighter shared his feelings on being regarded as an "ambassador" not only for the country, but for the sport.
"Because this is very important to me. Because I represent China. Before turning professional in boxing, the Olympic Games are our highest honor. So, we represent our country in the Olympics and fight for the honor of the country," he said.
"Although, after turning professional I no longer represent the national team. When I step out of China, I represent China, because we Chinese have never been involved in heavyweight boxing before."
Zhang Zhilei competes in the men's 91kg quarterfinals at the Beijing Olympics, Beijing, China, August 18, 2008. /CFP
Zhang, who won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, lost to Great Britain's eventual gold medalist Anthony Joshua in the quarterfinals of the 2012 London Games.
Following his time on the Olympic stage, the 41-year-old said he saw turning professional as an opportunity to take his personal and patriotic ambitions to another level.
"After I won the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, I knew that I could compete in heavyweight boxing," he said. "Then, after I finished the 2012 London Olympics, I looked to professional boxing again."
"I was 31 years old at that time. Maybe in everyone's eyes, I was an older athlete. But in my heart I was still young," Zhang continued. "After I turned professional, I could go even higher. So that's my motivation. I want to leave a strong mark for China's heavyweights on the heavyweight boxing stage; to tell the boxing fans around the world: this is Chinese power!"