Joseph Parker (34-3, 23 KOs) and Zhilei Zhang (26-1-1, 21 KOs) meet in an intriguing heavyweight bout with significant implications for both of their careers.
The two fighters clash at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This bout will be part of “Knockout Chaos,” a March 8 card that is part of Riyadh Season, a state-funded entertainment and sports festival. Fight fans can catch the action live on DAZN PPV around the world as well as Sky Sports PPV in the UK.
Parker is coming off of a four-fight 2023 that saw him go 4-0, culminating in a unanimous decision win against Deontay Wilder. On the other hand, Zhang scored back-to-back stoppages against Joe Joyce during the same period. A win for either keeps them on the path towards a world title shot. However, a loss will be a significant setback that may prove hard to come back from. On Wednesday, both fighters delivered statements at a press conference.
Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang Meet in Intriguing Heavyweight Clash
Parker
“He [Zhang] says he wants to bang me,” said Parker. “I just want to say to Zhang, ‘I want to bang you’.”
“Zhang did an excellent job in beating Joe Joyce twice and the fighter that I was when I fought Joe Joyce, I am a totally different fighter now. Physically, mentally, and I am up for the challenge. I am always up for the challenge. He’s the favourite going into this fight, they say that I am the underdog, but I will show you what I can do come fight night.”
“I have a great team that I fully trust and believe in…When everything is going good in camp and everything is balanced, you feel great and you are seeing results, I feel dangerous, I really do. Zhang is going to feel that danger.”
“You’re gonna see, you’re gonna see come fight night. We’re both ready. Everyone up here is ready for a great night of fights. We’re all giving all our energy back [sic] on fight night. We’re gonna put it all on display Friday night.”
“I am going to go out there and bang him!”
Zhang
“By sitting here I believe I receive the recognition I deserve,” said Zhang through an interpreter. “Everybody saw what I did to Joe Joyce, back-to-back.”
“Joseph Parker is a helluva fighter. He’s young, he’s hungry and he’s coming here for the belt. I am the tiger right here. I am here to hunt [and] if you want to take the food out of my mouth, you are going to pay the price.”
Joseph Parker vs. Zhilei Zhang: Big Fight Weekend Prediction
Both fighters had an excellent 2023 and are confident heading into this bout. Parker has the greater experience in the professional ranks and is the younger of the two. On the other hand, Zhang has a height advantage and a higher knockout percentage. The former WBO heavyweight champion’s pairing with Andy Lee seems to have done him a world of good. Despite the advantages Zhang possesses, Big Fight Weekend sees Lee guiding Parker to yet another win. Expect to see him outbox Zhang en route to a unanimous decision win.
Full Press Conference
For the full press conference featuring Parker, Zhang and other fighters part of “Knockout Chaos,” click here or the video below. Video courtesy of DAZN Boxing.
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