Joseph Parker vs. Zhilei Zhang | SKY PPV - 8 March 2024

[SeanBrennan]

oh god not Roman....

[KiwiRider]

Roman Fury, the final jewel in the Fury crown of boxing.

[SeanBrennan]

Roman Fury, the final jewel in the Fury crown of boxing.

Cubic Zircona

[Crease]

Zhang is a tough big oul boy, I think (hope) that Parker outboxes him, but that could be just what I want to see...

[jameswilson]

How do we rate the winner here? The legitimate number 4 after Fury, Usyk and AJ or do they have to beat Hrgovic for that?

[joshj909]

How do we rate the winner here? The legitimate number 4 after Fury, Usyk and AJ or do they have to beat Hrgovic for that?

I currently have it as:
1. Usyk
2. Joshua
3. Hrgovic
4. Fury
5. Zhang
6. Joyce
7. Kabayel
8. Parker

If Zhang wins:
1. Usyk
2. Hrgovic
3. Zhang
4. Joshua
5. Fury
6. Joyce
7. Kabayel
8. Parker

If Parker wins, it's tougher but maybe:
1. Usyk
2. Joshua
3. Parker
4. Hrgovic
5. Fury
6. Zhang
7. Joyce
8. Kabayel

[KiwiRider]

Zhang is a tough big oul boy, I think (hope) that Parker outboxes him, but that could be just what I want to see...

I feel for the future of the HW division, its probably better the 32 year old wins, rather than the soon to be 41 year old.
There ain't much future hinging on a 41 year old and I'd rather guys 40+ didn't fight, for medical reasons.

[Monzon83]

I don’t think this is going to end well for Joseph.

[SeanBrennan]

Zhang is a tough big oul boy, I think (hope) that Parker outboxes him, but that could be just what I want to see...

I feel for the future of the HW division, its probably better the 32 year old wins, rather than the soon to be 41 year old.
There ain't much future hinging on a 41 year old and I'd rather guys 40+ didn't fight, for medical reasons.

Amazing he's still only 32, seems to have been around forever. Nearly 12 years, I thought his career was finished after Joyce. Fair play to him.

[gregregegg]

90% chance Winner moves into/consolidates 4th below usyk, Fury, AJ…

5% chance A really really really good win by either could put them over AJ, but unlikely.

5% chance A really bad win could keep them from moving up at all but unlikely (many would already have one of these guys in 4th).

[jtourettes]

How do we rate the winner here? The legitimate number 4 after Fury, Usyk and AJ or do they have to beat Hrgovic for that?

I think the winner is the clear number 4 for me. If Zhang wins would like to see a hrg rematch but I imagine that's unlikely.

[skanksta]

Wish Zhang had been better managed and was doing his world-level-run @ 36-39 rather than 39-42.

Even 3 years makes a big difference at that age - big dropoff around 40.
I want Zhang to win, because Parker has found a boring way to win fights, but I expect it to work...

[gregregegg]

Wish Zhang had been better managed and was doing his world-level-run @ 36-39 rather than 39-42.

Even 3 years makes a big difference at that age - big dropoff around 40.
I want Zhang to win, because Parker has found a boring way to win fights, but I expect it to work...

To be fair at that age he was nearly dying vs
Jerry Forrest.

[KiwiRider]

Wish Zhang had been better managed and was doing his world-level-run @ 36-39 rather than 39-42.

Even 3 years makes a big difference at that age - big dropoff around 40.
I want Zhang to win, because Parker has found a boring way to win fights, but I expect it to work...

To be fair at that age he was nearly dying vs
Jerry Forrest.

oh cripes, I forgot about that performance. And a novice like Jared Anderson blasted Jerry out in two.
His engine/cardio has improved a bit since then, still not at Parkers pace though.

[skanksta]

Pretty good excuse for that !
(if true of course)

[KiwiRider]

Pretty good excuse for that !
(if true of course)

There is so much bollocks and posturing in boxing, I just go by what I see in the ring.

[TheLeprechaun]

Zhang is a serious operator early and is blasting his opponents to the canvas. I believe every opponent has been punched to the canvas early which is pretty impressive. I know Parker stood his ground vs Wilder but he better be on the run here, especially early. Taking it into the 2nd half of the fight I believe Parker can take over. Zhang slows down but the left hand and right hook are always going to be dangerous punches. Zhang is in his 40s I believe and although hes pudgy around the midsection, we have to remember we are in a PED era. I'm not accusing him of taking PEDs but it's possible. I wouldn't discriminate against him based on age. For that reason, I think he wins. Parker is cute enough to stay out of harm and go the distance. I think he will probably get hurt at some point and get on his bike for the remainder of the contest.

[golden_labrador]

Parker's resume win or lose is becoming immense. Intriguing fight this one, a true 50-50. I think Parker should outwork him though

the scariest men on his resume for sure. hats off to him

[tonyevs]

I feel Parker being overrated some for dominating Wilder - and is being overlooked being worn down by Joyce.
Parker won't be strong enough to keep Zhang off, so gets worn down in similar way he was against Joyce.

[Nightmare Roy]

I like Zhang but you have to tip your hat to Parker, proper old school has gloves will travel, most of the HW's have acted like fannies in recent years, makes a refreshing change.

[jameswilson]

I like Zhang but you have to tip your hat to Parker, proper old school has gloves will travel, most of the HW's have acted like fannies in recent years, makes a refreshing change.

I’d say the same about Zhang past a certain point. Hrgovic and Joyce twice is as good a three fight run as anyone else considering Joyce’s rating when they fought.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Zhang is a serious operator early and is blasting his opponents to the canvas. I believe every opponent has been punched to the canvas early which is pretty impressive. I know Parker stood his ground vs Wilder but he better be on the run here, especially early. Taking it into the 2nd half of the fight I believe Parker can take over. Zhang slows down but the left hand and right hook are always going to be dangerous punches. Zhang is in his 40s I believe and although hes pudgy around the midsection, we have to remember we are in a PED era. I'm not accusing him of taking PEDs but it's possible. I wouldn't discriminate against him based on age. For that reason, I think he wins. Parker is cute enough to stay out of harm and go the distance. I think he will probably get hurt at some point and get on his bike for the remainder of the contest.

The major difference, is that Zhang throws short very heavy shots, not the big looping curveballs wilder throws, and he is better at creating openings.

I slightly favour parker, but he will have to avoid the early fire, when Zhang is at his most dangerous.

[SeanBrennan]

[KiwiRider]

Joseph Parker should be called Average Joe.

What's his chin like?
About average.

What's his stamina like?
Average.

What's his power like?
Average.

And his boxing skills?
Pretty average.

So a combination of average makes a fairly handy heavyweight fighter these days. The change in trainer is paying off though. This version of Parker is best so far.

[SamWise72]

I think Parker's improvement is overhyped. His big wins are Wilder and nothing else (I thought Ruiz beat him). I think if Wilder fights again it will be clear that it's not that he's suddenly a top level fighter, but rather that Wilder really isn't any more. If Zhang wins, he cements himself as definitely in the top tier, and demonstrates that Parker still isn't.