Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker REMATCH - Do we want it?

Zhilei Zhang wants Joseph Parker rematch after points defeat in Saudi Arabia, says co-manager Terry Lane
Zhilei Zhang suffered a unanimous decision loss to Joseph Parker, despite flooring the New Zealander in the third and eighth rounds in Saudi Arabia; the Chinese heavyweight is now set to activate a clause for an immediate rematch
Sunday 10 March 2024 15:54, UK
Parker v Zhang
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Joseph Parker picked himself off the canvas twice to defeat Zhilei Zhang by majority decision in Saudi Arabia
Zhilei Zhang 'wants' to enforce an immediate rematch after he floored Joseph Parker twice in a points defeat, says his co-manager Terry Lane.
The Chinese heavyweight dropped Parker in the third and eighth rounds, but the New Zealander's superior work-rate was rewarded with a majority decision win on the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou undercard in Saudi Arabia on Friday night.
Parker and his promoter David Higgins revealed afterwards that Zhang can activate a contractual clause for an immediate rematch and his co-manager Lane believes that this is the most likely career move.
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"Firstly, our whole team wants to congratulate team Parker and Andy Lee for executing a perfect game plan for fighting Zhilei," Lane told Sky Sports
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Parker confirmed that he is set to face Zhang again in a rematch
"Parker is a seasoned veteran and he surely showed it Friday night. The momentum that he has right now is incredible."
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"I think Zhilei wants the rematch," Lane added.
"From my perspective, if you take a step back and look at the big picture, what is going on now in the heavyweight division is really exciting. It is reminiscent of of eras past when there were a number of top, high-profile, world-class big men who kept fighting each other to the benefits of boxing fans.
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"Styles make fights, and it is very nuanced. Zhang beats Joyce, who lost to Parker? Surely Zhang beats Parker, right? Wrong. A beats B, B beats C, then A beats C? Not in boxing. It's more of a game of Paper, Rock, Scissors where each beats one and loses the other.
"Having said that, Zhilei can make the adjustments, win more rounds and go on to other things."
Zhilei Zhang, Joseph Parker (Pic courtesy of Mark Robinson)
Image:
Zhang let the fight slip from his grasp in the closing rounds
The 40-year-old Zhang appeared to be conserving his energy throughout the fight, even after he had visibly hurt Parker following the two knockdowns.
But Lane has revealed that Zhang felt he was in command of the fight and could have raised his punch output.
"Zhilei is disappointed but not discouraged," he said. "Parker's crouching and holding really threw Zhilei off and he never really found his rhythm.
"According to Zhilei, he never was gassed, b

[@Wwmmgg95554]

Zhilei zhang is the best defense heavy weight boxer. So far, he only got one knocking down by his opponents and never got knocked out.

[@RonaldMa-bk9ti]

I am Chinese so naturally I support Zhang. Yes, he was knocked down by Joshua but that was many years ago in the Amateurs. I would love to see him fight Joshua again instead of Parker.

[@Themozartthug]

Yes, good fight there. I feel AJ is probably too strong for him atm, but zhang is a big boy! Lol

[@riverdean7]

the question is does turki want it, the 1st fight didnt really catch fire,Parker be fightig in october hoPe its a credible oPPonant

[@riverdean7]

joshuas is fighting dubious in sePtember it is confirmed

[@Themozartthug]

Yes, I made this video just before it was confirmed...for some reason it didn't upload!