Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker – Who wins and why?
China and New Zealand are just 7,000 miles apart, but on March 8th they are set to clash head-on as Zhilei Zhang (26-1-1, 21KO) and Joseph Parker (34-3, 23KO) meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Franics Ngannou.
But who wins this Asia-Oceania war, which will have Zhang's WBO Interim heavyweight title on the line? BBN asked their panel of experts for their view on the fight:
Wayne AlexanderFormer British, European & World Champion
"Zhilei Zhang v Joseph Parker is a very interesting fight.
"Parker is the more experienced; boxing better opposition than Zhang. He is a former WBO world champion and has only lost to three fighters with one loss between them at the time, but Zhang is fresher even though older; he has only been beaten – though very controversial – by Filip Hrgovic.
"I think Zhang's extra strength and punch power will gain him a late stoppage or points win."
Oskari MetzEuropean title contender
"Zhang looked great in his fights against Joyce. He's a big guy, and moves very well for his size.
"On the other hand, Parker was very convincing in his fight against Wilder, and had no problems managing Wilder's power either. I know Zhang beat Joyce and Joyce beat Parker, but styles make fights. Joyce is quite a static fighter and that was his downfall against Zhang. Parker's much craftier, so I'm backing Parker to take this on points."
Marshall KauffmanKings Boxing Promoter
"Very good fight between two guys that deserve to get paid!
"This is a tough fight and I would have to give a slight edge to Zhang and only because he is a southpaw, but overall it should be a very competitive fight."
Ben DayFormer Southern Area Champion
"Very good performance by Joseph Parker against Wilder, so if he uses similar tactics I think he can outbox Zhang, but only if he can stay away from his big left hand."
Tim RicksonBBN Editor
"I thought Parker got his tactics just right against Deontay Wilder and stayed disciplined and focused to the game plan all the way through the full 12 rounds. It was a dominant performance, but it has to be acknowledged that Wilder was not his usual self. His usual demeanour was subdued, his killer instinct was diminished, and he spent the whole fight on the backfoot, circling the ring unwilling to engage, which is the opposite to what we are used to. Even after the fight, he was completely chilled out about losng, even smiling and laughing after such a poor performance, which tells me he has lost the desire. He's not the same man who said he wants a body on his record and who once sacked his trainer for throwing the towel in.
"Zhang's wins over Joyce cannot be questioned. He outboxed and outpowered him twice, shattering the man with the granite chin's invincibility. Joyce was unstoppable up to then, the No.1 heavyweight with the WBO, so he was at the highest level in the sport.
"Parker is greatly improved under Andy Lee's tutelage and training and sparring regularly with Tyson Fury, and I would expect him to get off to a good start in this fight. However, I would back Zhang's size and power to win this fight by knockout in the second half of the contest. Just think he will be able to land one of his tricky southpaw shots with enough strength to hurt Parker at some point.
"This will be a great fight for me to watch because I'd be happy with either man winning, I like them equally, and they both deserve all the success they get."
Sergio MichelMusician and Boxing Super-fan
"I am happy for both Parker and Zhang. The only downside is one of them will be harmed optics-wise by a loss at this stage in their surging careers.
"The massive victory vs Wilder, for Parker, would only be the meat of the matter if he also put down the new boogey man of the Heavyweight division.
"If Zhang wins against an opponent of the caliber of Parker, it solidifies his unseen "monster" status and catapults him to fights with Joshua, for sure, and possibly Fury".
Burim Sylejmani Promoter
"This is a top fight in the heavyweight division.
"Zhang clearly dominated Joe Joyce. Parker did a great job against Wilder. But I think Zhang will win this fight because he simply has more power in his punches."
Bogdan Musat Manager of King Promotion Romania
"In my opinion, Zhang should be 27-1 as he lost to Forrest and beat Hrgovic. After Forrest fight he understood that, if he wants to be on top he has to be serious about his training. He is an akward southpaw and he was a nightmare for his last opponents. Joyce had no chance against him.
"On the other hand, what I have seen in Parker in his last fight was amazing. He was dominating Wilder and looked very good. It will be a very good fight and if Parker could absorb the powerful punches of Zhang, I will go with him via UD."
Oscar PickBBN Writer
"My prediction is that Zhilei Zhang will win by late stoppage.
"I was very impressed with Joseph Parker's performance against Deontay Wilder, as he looked much more aggressive compared to previous fights where, particularly against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, he was guilty of being too passive.
"However, I think that this version of Parker is tailor-made for Zhang – a fighter who has exceptional judgement of distance and likes to walk his opponents onto counters. It is also difficult to ignore their respective performances against Joe Joyce, with both being so recent."
Arijan GorickiIBO featherweight title contender
"My prediction is Zhang by TKO in the 9th round. I think that Parker will not be able to adapt to Zhang's southpaw stance."
Anish ParekhBBN Writer
"I am glad to see these two guys get another good opportunity to make some more money, boost their reputations and set themselves up with further paydays and big fights.
"Zhang is huge, he moves well, has a great southpaw jab, and, as proven against Joe Joyce, has some power. Parker, on the other hand, has speed and is coming into the fight with confidence after utterly dominating Deborah Wilder last month.
"It’s really a 50/50 and I can see the two slugging it out at times.
"Ultimately, I think the bigger, harder hitting Zhang will come out on top by overpowering the smaller Parker and stopping him in the mid to late rounds."
Sam CondyBBN Writer
"It’s a tough fight to predict. Zhang has become somewhat of a boogeyman recently, with two fantastic stoppages over Joe Joyce.
"I think Joseph Parker is the better boxer, but it's whether he can stay away from Zhang’s thunderous left hand.
"Parker managed to stay away from Wilder’s power, though I think with a tricky southpaw like Zhang it is going to be far harder to subdue danger without letting anything major slip through.
"I predict that Parker will box well and enter the second half ahead on points, though I think fatigue will start to show, allowing Zhang to capitalise and earn a stoppage victory."