This is our preview of Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang – click here for a full rundown on how Parker claimed a points victory in their superfight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang provides yet another heavyweight blockbuster in what is shaping up to be a golden era for boxing’s marquee weight class.
Thanks to massive investment from Saudi Arabia, some of the fights which had once seemed impossible to make are now coming thick and fast.
DAZN: Sign up to watch Parker vs Zhang live!
Last October the wild ‘Riyadh Season’ started with Tyson Fury squeaking past Francis Ngannou in their much-hyped crossover fight. Then in December Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder starred on that massive ‘Day of Reckoning’ card.
Next up is Anthony Joshua vs Ngannou (and Parker vs Zhang) in March, followed by the Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk unification showdown in May. What a time to be a fan of heavyweight boxing.
Here is all you need to know ahead of that Parker vs Zhang beauty, ahead of fight night in the desert.
How to watch live on TV
So we now know that the bout will aired live in the UK by both DAZN and Sky Sports Box Office. DAZN meanwhile will also have global rights – including the key US market.
As for pricing we know that DAZN has already revealed its structure in the UK. New subscribers will pay £19.99 for Joshua vs Ngannou (and Parker vs Zhang of course) AND a month’s subscription to the platform. Existing subs will get a slightly cheaper day at £18.99 for the PPV. US pricing will appear here once announced.
When is Parker vs Zhang?
The bout takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday March 8, 2024.
We expect ring walks for this bout to be at some stage between 10pm and 11pm UK time (that is between 5 and 6pm Eastern Standard Time, between 2pm and 3pm PST).
Parker vs Zhang weights
The weigh-in for Parker vs Zhang took place in Riyadh on Thursday March 7.
Zhang was BIGGER than ever as he tipped the scales at 291lbs (20st 11lbs) – some four pounds heavier than he was for that second win over Joe Joyce last September.
Parker will give up more than three stones after coming in at 247lbs – a couple of pounds heavier than for his win over Deontay Wilder last December.
Latest odds
Parker is again the underdog for this one, at around the 2/1 mark. Zhang is a 1/2 betting favourite with the Draw priced at 20/1.
Joseph Parker record
Joseph Parker, born in Auckland, New Zealand on January 9, 1992, is now 32 years old and has a professional record of 34-3 from 37 pro fights. Some 23 of those wins have come inside the distance.
Parker’s career at the top level came into question after his brutal knockout defeat at the hands of Joe Joyce back in 2022, but he came back strong in 2023 with four wins on the spin. The first three against modest opposition, before that terrific performance to shut down Wilder in the desert.
Parker is a former WBO heavyweight champion, and his other two defeats came at the hands of Anthony Joshua (in a unification match) and another Brit Dillian Whyte.
Zhilei Zhang record
Zhang was born in Zhoukou, China on May 2, 1983. He is now 40 years old and has a professional record of 26-1-1 in 28 fights. That record includes 21 victories by way of KO.
Zhilei’s star has never been higher than it is right now, despite his advancing years. He comes into this fight on the back of a controversial decision loss to Filip Hrgovic followed by two terrific victories over the previously unbeaten Joe Joyce.
Before moving into the paid ranks, Zhang had claimed a silver medal in the super-heavyweight division at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Who else is fighting on the card?
Of course the bill is topped by that massive Joshua vs Ngannou heavyweight showdown. There could be another massive match at heavy too – with a string of potential opponents in the running to face IBF mandatory contender Filip Hrgovic.
Elsewhere, Rey Vargas (36-1, 22 KOs), the WBC World Champion from Mexico will make a first defence of his belt when he takes on No.1 contender, the Liverpool featherweight firebrand Nick Ball (19-0, 11 KOs).
Featuring on the card is a Battle of Britain at Lightweight, where top young contender and IBF European Champion Mark Chamberlain (14-0, 10 KOs) from England will challenge for the European Champion, Welshman Gavin Gwynne (17-2-1, 5 KOs).
Also performing in Riyadh will be Australian Heavyweight hopeful Justis Huni (8-0, 4 KOs), who will be looking to make his name in the flagship division as he faces Kevin Lerena, plus Cruiserweight prospect Roman Fury (3-0, 1 KO), British Super-Welterweight Jack McGann (9-0-1, 6 KOs) and local Saudi Arabian Super-Lightweight Ziyad Almaayouf (4-0, 1 KO).
