The heavyweight division will take further shape when WBO interim champion Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang (26-1-1, 21 KOs) defends his world title against former world champion Joseph Parker (34-3, 23 KOs) on the March 8 Joshua-Ngannou undercard at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Zhang is coming off two consecutive KO wins over Joe Joyce in 2023, while Parker upset former WBC champion Deontay Wilder in December.
In other bouts:
- WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas (36-1, 22 KOs) will make the first defense of his belt when he takes on #1 contender Nick Ball (19-0, 11 KOs).
- Unbeaten WBA #14, IBF #14, WBO #15 heavyweight Justis Huni (8-0, 4 KOs) will face TBA.
- Unbeaten lightweight Mark Chamberlain (14-0, 10 KOs) will challenge European champion Gavin Gwynne (17-2-1, 5 KOs).
- Cruiserweight Roman Fury (3-0, 1 KO), super welterweight Jack McGann (9-0-1, 6 KOs) and local super lightweight Ziyad Almaayouf (4-0, 1 KO) will also see action.
Well isn’t that nice. Zhang – Parker is a really good fight and I’m also interested in Vargas – Ball.
Love Zhang vs Parker and mad credit to both guys for taking a very difficult fight at this stage instead of pulling an Andy Ruiz. I’d assume there are a couple of factors at play… first, I’m sure the Saudis are happy to write large checks (good for them and us); second, neither guy is a spring chicken and needs to make their money while they still have a chance of getting back to a title fight. This is a highly watchable fight… I’m taking Zhang as he is aging like a fine wine. Parker has a skill set that might give him trouble, so this is close to 50/50. No easy bets in this one.
Good comments but…
“…neither guy is a spring chicken…?
Parker is 31. Zhang is 40.
Jeez… given how long Parker’s been around, I assumed he was closer to 40 than 30. My bad. There’s a lot of ass in assume. I shoulda done my homework.
Good matchup…Zhang. high boxing IQ…proven….this fight actually might be the best fight on the card….Agree with DMV …about “quick turnaround” for fighters that just fought…. interesting…give it take…this might be the formula for emergence of world class boxing on the scene…make fights like the old days….promoters got it right..keeping interest…now just keep the production quality good and the streaming prices fair…and we have something….all in all good fight!!!!
Parker’s 32 now, he’s basically in his prime for a heavyweight. It’s definitely a 50/50 fight for me and I can see ways that both can win this fight and I think whoever wins just might end up full champion because I can’t see either Usyk or Fury making a round of mandatory defenses.
Lol, 9 Jan 1992: I was wrong Lucie. Nine days ago, Joe Parker’s now 32.
And 15 October 1989: Eddie Hearn’s protected pet, Joshua is now 34.
Is it me, or is this a quick turnaround for world class heavyweight boxing of just a few months? Used to these guys fighting once or twice a year at most. Looks like the Saudi’s have decided to make their mark in the boxing world, money is not a problem for them.
Good post DMV. The river of money that is flowing in Middle East, is making everyone willing to fight every month if is possible, unbelievable what money can do
Good for fans…. and good for the fighters to make $$$$. This is a win/win for the sport. And honestly, I kinda like having afternoon boxing in North America to watch.
I’m enjoying the interruption of the Top Rank/PBC hostage situation. I’m sure there’s a ton of BS that we are being spared. Competition is good for the consumer. We win Brainchild. Fire up the grill.
Yes, the same money that fund the 9/11 in NYC
You are completely wrong. My understanding is that the Saudi money comes from the SWF.
Yep. The Saudis are providing the fire under everyone’s behind. Make your money.and give it all you got. I hope and pray that they are all well compensated
Big Bang by late stoppage.
Hmm, I hope Eddie Hearn didn’t tell you that!
Joe Parker to win by kayo or pts!
Lol, Eddie had swapped both Parker and Joshua’s opponents around in Saudi’s “Day of Reckoning” to obviously protect Joshua from being kayoed by Wilder.
Parker cost Hearn MILLIONS when he bashed dangerous kayo-king Deontay Wilder from pillar-to-post for 12 rounds in the other match.
You can do it again, Joe!
Say what? Eddie Hearn isn’t Wilder’s guy. He is under the DiBella Umbrella. I’d imagine Hearn was disappointed Wilder got rolled as it represented a lot of lost potential income for his promotion.
Yes! Hearn’s not-so-cunning ruse cost himself many x many x many x many x millions!
He had shot himself in the foot, and was sick as a parrot!
Which was precisely my point.
I was fully expecting the boxing judges to award the decision to Wilder. What happened? Those boxing judges were a disgrace to their criminal profession. Boxing judges almost always award high profile fight decisions to the loser. Wilder’s “deep pocket” bagmen must not have delivered. Maybe they got bogged down in an Arabian sandstorm on the way to the stadium.
In some fights, the winning margin is so big that even the judges can’t steal it. I had it 120-108… a total wipeout. One judge had it with that score, the others had it 118-110. You could argue Wilder was gifted two rounds on two scorecards. If we were being totally cynical and ingoring any proof whatsoever, you could say two judges were comped $100k for two rounds of bad scoring.
zhang–parker good
Bang bang vs Parker is a great fight. Now we are talking heavyweight entertainment.
Will Zhang be too much, like Joyce was and bully Parker with his size and those heavy straight punches? Or will Parker move more against Zhang like he has been doing recently? Not sure who I pick to win.
Zhang by KO
I can’t wait to see Zhang vs Parker. I’m leaning towards Zhang to pull it off. If he wins, especially by impressive fashion, how can he be denied? I hope he get’s a title shot or is at least in line to get a shot at the winner of AJ vs Francis or Fury vs Usyk. I’m a huge fan.
Thank you, again, Amazon Fire Stick……
Love the comment…
Please elaborate as I don’t understand your comment.
It is a good match-up. I like Zhang in this one.
I dont think Parker presents any problems for Zhang except for maybe a cut from Parker lunging in ,Zhang by stoppage.
Biggest problem for Parker is Eddie Hearn. Could you imagine Eddie risking his son’s life against against Zhang?
Good card. The Saudis are liking the host game and I don’t blame them. Zhang is not wasting time and making the most of his opportunity. Parker has resurrected his career somewhat with his win over Wilder and knows that this is the last train. Both pushing forward and I’m happy for both fighters. If they put on a good fight, I’m sure it won’t be the last in the desert by the sea.
Parker did not have much of a threat from Wilder and we cannot blame Wilder for it. Parker’s team had a good strategy of not chasing the puncher and it worked. Zhang is a different animal and won’t be playing the waiting game. I’m going with Zhang here based on consistency by late stoppage.
Overall, a good card and a great opportunity for everyone in it to have great exposure.
I look forward to this fight. If the same Joseph that fought Wilder fight Zhang, it will be an interesting affairs.
Nice matchup, two fighters at the top of their game right now. Mad props to both for taking such a tough (on paper at least) fight on a quick turnaround. The card appears worth the price too, imo.
parker and zhang! / okay but when are we going to see fabip turchi fight crusireweight michael hunter..