Parker’s Career-Changing Win Drew Attention of Other Top Contenders

Joseph Parker found out success in boxing is only fleeting. By bullying Deontay Wilder in December in Saudi Arabia, Parker drew the world’s attention. One fighter who is now much more interested in Parker is WBO interim heavyweight champion Zeili Zhang.

Zhang needs an opponent while waiting for the heavyweight title picture to play out. Oleksandr Usyk is the organization’s current heavyweight champion. Usyk is set for a title unification bout with Tyson Fury, which would give the boxing world its first unanimous heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis earned the honors in the 1990s.

But Parker and Zhang both want to stay busy. With their respective profiles, they may turn out to be good dance partners. The heavyweight division is seeing a shift with Anthony Joshua, Fury, and Wilder getting older. Can a meeting between the two men be a stepping stone to move glory?

While nothing is lined up yet, there have been indications that some of Zhang’s other targets may have other commitments. What Zhang would like to do is get revenge against Joshua, who is a former amateur opponent of Zhang’s. But that may not be possible, according to boxing updates tonight.

Beating Wilder Not What It Used to Be

Wilder hasn’t fought much since he finished his trilogy of title fights with Fury. Before fighting Parker, Wilder only fought once in the past 18 months. Despite Wilder’s lack of activity, many thought he would still manhandle Parker.

But life doesn’t always work out how we plan. Wilder landed a pathetic 39 punches over their 12-round bout. Parker credited the performance to his game plan and strong defensive skills. Many observers of the fight were stunned by Wilder’s lack of activity.

Many people wondered if the former WBO champion, now 39, was just well past his prime. Wilder was always known for his tremendous punching power. However, online boxing news shows that Wilder has had a more difficult time against a boxer who could weather the storm.

Fury was able to provide the blueprint for how to beat Wilder. While Parker didn’t earn a stoppage like Fury did, he was able to outmaneuver and fluster Wilder. Parker has been a player on the world stage before. Anyone dismissing his ability to fight top competition would be making a mistake, according to world boxing latest news.

Parker Has Experience Against Top Fighters

Pulling off a memorable upset creates a reputation that fighters have to build off of. Parker, a native of New Zealand, captured his first world heavyweight title in 2016 when he won the vacant belt against Andy Ruiz Jr. That victory set him up for a big-time fight against Anthony Joshua in March 2018.

At the time, Joshua was the WBA (Super), IBF and IBO heavyweight champion. The good news for Parker was he didn’t become the 21st consecutive knockout victim at the hands of Joshua. But that didn’t mean Parker could topple the champion.

Parker lost on all three scorecards and followed that up with a loss to Dillian Whyte. It took Parker four years to earn another title opportunity. Parker was knocked out by Joe Joyce in September 2022 during a bout for the WBO interim heavyweight championship.

Zhang Was a Decorated Amateur

Zhang, 40, is running out of time to pile up a lot of major championships. While Zhang is still an active fighter who has the energy to take on challenges, things get more difficult for fighters in their late 30s and beyond. The Chinese fighter built his reputation with a strong performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Zhang won the silver medal in the super heavyweight division. Unlike many fighters, who turn professional shortly after winning an Olympic medal, Zeili chose to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. There would be no medal the second time around, as Zhang would lose to Joshua in the quarterfinals.

In 2014, Zhang signed with an agent and decided to box professionally. He rapidly made his name by picking up wins quickly. Zhang’s professional debut only lasted 17 seconds. He knocked out Curtis Lee Tate in the first round to start his professional journey in spectacular fashion.

Zhang has picked up 21 of his 26 professional wins by knockout.

Title Shot Came Via Unorthodox Circumstances

Zhang opened his professional career with a 24-0-1 record. Everything looked like he was heading to a title fight. Zhang then took a surprising loss to Filip Hrgović in Saudi Arabia in August 2020. 

Zhang knocked down Hrgović in the first round but landed many more strong shots. Hrgović would end up inching out a unanimous decision win. Typically, losing your undefeated streak in boxing can hurt your brand appeal. There is a major mystique with boxing and protecting a perfect record.

Despite the loss, Zhang was given an opportunity to fight Joyce for the interim WBO title anyway in April 2023. Zhang had his way with Joyce and won the championship via sixth-round knockout. The two men would rematch seven months later, with Zhang again picking up a knockout victory, this time in the third round.

Zhang’s Resume Could Use a Win Like Parker

While Zhang has won plenty of fights during his career, he doesn’t have a lot of big names on his resume. Parker is a long-established fighter who has taken on some of the top fighters in the heavyweight division. While it is likely that both men will chase the biggest name possible for a high-dollar figure, a fight between the two would produce compelling drama.

Zhang’s age doesn’t leave him much of an opportunity for error. He needs to win every fight in order to stay in the picture of boxing for large events. Parker, who is nine years Zhang’s junior, is in a position to capitalize following a shocking win over Wilder.

Parker can’t afford to take any steps backward, either. Whether Wilder is past his prime or not, not many men have ever humbled Wilder like that. A chance to fight Zhang and regain a championship at the world level could set him up to lead the next generation of heavyweights.

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