Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) earned a majority decision over Zhilei Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KOs) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The judges saw this one 113-113, 114-112 & 115-111 for Parker, who, after the fight, said his next fight would be a rematch with Zhang.
In the first round, both fighters were feinting and being cautious as they were gauging distance. Zhang landed some right jabs, and Parker focused on the body. Zhang landed a right hook that stunned Parker momentarily in the second round. Parker would return the favor and land a big looping right that got Zhang’s attention.
Zhang lands a huge straight left hand, sending Parker down in the third round. Parker beat the count but was visibly hurt. He survived the round but looked hurt. Parker landed a huge looping right hand, making Zhang stumble slightly in the fourth round. Zhang was able to weather the storm and regained his momentum at the end of the round.
In the fifth, Zhang took the round off as Parker was the busier fighter. Parker was landing some big shots while Zhang was just circling without throwing any punches. Zhang threw a little more in the sixth than in the fifth, but not as near as many punches from earlier in the fight. Parker wasn’t landing many punches, but it was more than Zhang did.
Zhang caught Parker in the seventh round with consistent left hooks as he leaned to his right. Parker was stunned but came back with a 1-2 combination that couldn’t miss. Zhang landed a short right hook that sent Parker down for the second knockdown of the fight in the eighth round. Parker survived the round, and Zhang regained his rhythm.
Rounds nine through twelve were all Parker. Zhang seemed gassed, and he was barely throwing any punches. Parker was the busier fighter and landed the more effective punches during the championship rounds.
Parker earns the decision and continues his second run while wearing the interim WBO heavyweight title around his waist.
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