Speaking about that fight, Zhang revealed that from round five he felt like his body was "cut off" and even blacked out before being rushed to hospital after his condition worsened in the dressing room.
The year of that fight also saw Zhang experience the "lowest moment" of his life and he pondered quitting boxing, though it was a decision which had nothing to do with fighting.
Zhang's team called an ambulance following the fight, with an unnerving diagnosis to follow; acute kidney failure and dangerously high liver function levels.
Zhang had returned to China in 2021 to attend his mother's funeral but had ended up being stuck in limbo after finding out his US visa had been put on hold.
The Chinese heavyweight, 41, is set to fight Agit Kabayel on the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 undercard in Saudi Arabia this Saturday.
