The past 12 months proved to be a successful period for Zhang who made easy work of Britain's Joe Joyce with two stoppage wins and is now the mandatory challenger for the WBO world heavyweight title. 

However, with the belt currently being held by Oleksandr Usyk, Zhang is unlikely to get a fight against the Ukrainian in the near future with Usyk set to meet WBC champion Tyson Fury for the undisputed world heavyweight title on February 17. 

While Zhang awaits his shot, he will be looking to stay active in 2024 and has now revealed when he expects to return to the ring with the hope of facing a former world heavyweight champion. 

"I want to come back during March and that’s the plan but if you’re asking me who I want the next opponent to be realistically, then I say Joseph Parker but does he dare to fight me?" Zhang told Gambling.com. 

"I’m open to everything but I am focusing on the gym and being in the ring for my return. I would like to have my next fight to be in Saudi Arabia, but everything is being worked on and is in the process. I can’t say too much about it."

Parker will also be looking to make the upcoming year a memorable one after a dominant win against former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in December which has now made the New Zealand fighter a leading contender once again in boxing's most glamourous division.