Joseph Parker vs. Zhilei Zhang II | Rematch - 2024

[Gran Hermano]

Not really clamouring to see this tbh, there are so many decent match ups for both men out there - Kabayel & Bakole for each man would be far more interesting.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Kabayel & Bakole for each man would be far more interesting.

even that match is decent,

[TheLeprechaun]

Repeat of the first fight

[cormack]

warren pushing this as he doesnt fancy bakole getting in the mix

[deadpan]

A rematch clause on a non title fight. Pffft!

As has been observed, there are so many more interesting fights for them outside of a rematch.

[Lenny Cravats]

Zhang doesn't have time left to get beaten by Parker again.
Parker doesn't really gain anything from beating him, either.
Seems a bit pointless. Would like to see Zhang - Fury. Could be a way back in for Fury, or he'd get flattened. I'd be happy with either, tbh.

[KiwiRider]

A rematch clause on a non title fight. Pffft!

As has been observed, there are so many more interesting fights for them outside of a rematch.

I agree, but no one is rushing in to fight Parker even though he holds rankings that could get whoever beats him into contender status.
I thought Parker would be hot property given that and he has been beaten on points and stopped.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Zhilei Zhang, Agit Kabayel and Martin Bakole all in the mix for Joseph Parker

Joseph Parker is growing impatient in regard to his next opponent. The New Zealander, in London to be ringside for the Daniel Dubois-Anthony Joshua showdown, defeated Deontay Wilder in December and Zhilei Zhang in March but is still none the wiser on who comes next.

"I was told there was there was a fight in September, then October, and now I'm told there was a fight in December," Parker said at the Wembley open workouts. "I’ve been training since April and I’ve put on about 20 pounds… of muscle, I hope. I’m ready to fight anyone, anywhere, seriously. I’m in great shape and I’m ready to go."

After outpointing Wilder, Parker did the same to Zhang. It has long been reported that "Big Bang" will trigger his right for a return but Parker indicated there are other names in the mix to face him on the Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury undercard.

"Zhang wants the rematch, he has that rematch clause," Parker said. "I’m not sure what everyone else wants. I think there’s talk of Agit Kabayel, [Martin] Bakole, there’s lots of names. I’d like it locked in so I know who I’m training for."

Parker believes that Fury will get his revenge over Usyk on December 21. "He’s a lot more focused and I think it will change everything," Parker said of Fury. "He’s more determined to put on a better performance."

As for Dubois-Joshua, Parker likes the man who outpointed him in 2017. "I feel like Joshua in the first five or six rounds, he’s looked very dangerous in his last fights," Parker said. "I feel [if] Dubois [wins it will be] late rounds, he showed a great chin against Filip Hrgovic and great determination – and that power in the late rounds. He’s a live underdog and he’s got a lot to prove.

"Joshua has the power in the right hand but he can also box. When I fought him he was able to nullify what I was doing."

Dubois has been on the crest of a wave, most notably while walking through the best that Filip Hrgovic could muster in March and winning via stoppage.

"Joshua has a lot more power than Hrgovic," Parker observed. "I feel like if he lands like Hrgovic landed, Joshua will stop him. But if Dubois lands clean, he will test AJ’s chin – and can AJ then show the grit and determination to come back and win after being hurt."

Whoever wins, 32-year-old Parker, who has earned a title shot, hopes to be ready and waiting. "I would love to fight the winner. I feel like, now, I’ve got a lot more power. I feel like I could knock people out."

[KiwiRider]

I wondered what was happening with Parker.
Gosh Parker vs Bakole would be a stylistic nightmare, but I'd prefer to see that over a Zhang rematch.
Kabayel is interesting, didn't know he was in the mix...

[big lennox]

I was hoping to see Zhang vs Bakole.

I love Parker's attitude: have gloves, will travel, will fight. He has beaten Ruiz, Wilder and Zhang which is a tremendous legacy.

[joshj909]

Ideal situation is that we get Parker vs Bakole/Kabayel and Zhang vs the other one before the end of the year. We then have two very worthy contenders for the belts. The rematch isn't necessary for them or for the fans. Zhang is still one impressive fight away from a title shot regardless.

[The Gratest]

I was hoping to see Zhang vs Bakole.

I love Parker's attitude: have gloves, will travel, will fight. He has beaten Ruiz, Wilder and Zhang which is a tremendous legacy.

Same here.
As stylistic match ups, Bakole vs Zhang and Parker vs Kabayel.

[KiwiRider]

I was hoping to see Zhang vs Bakole.

I love Parker's attitude: have gloves, will travel, will fight. He has beaten Ruiz, Wilder and Zhang which is a tremendous legacy.

Same here.
As stylistic match ups, Bakole vs Zhang and Parker vs Kabayel.

X2.
Bakole and Zhang are made for each other. Bakole may only be 32, but he looks and fights like a 40 year old.

[KiwiRider]

In case you haven't been following Parker, he has been putting on some muscle lately. He still has a bit of a 'dad bod' like always, but is now bigger across the shoulders and back.
His regular fight weight of 240-255 is now probably going to be close to 270!
I'm sure Andy Lee knows what he is doing, and Parkers recent results reflect that. But when Parker came in heavy (for him) at 255, he lost to Joe Joyce.

[The Gratest]

Not sure if a heavier, slower, less mobile Parker stands a better chance against the naturally bigger Zhang (if it is indeed the rematch next). You'd think that would just be playing into Zhang's hands and presenting an easier target for Zhang to fire off on.

[SeanBrennan]

I really like Parker, I hope the rematch does not take place though as I think Zhang might win!!!

[KiwiRider]

Not sure if a heavier, slower, less mobile Parker stands a better chance against the naturally bigger Zhang (if it is indeed the rematch next). You'd think that would just be playing into Zhang's hands and presenting an easier target for Zhang to fire off on.

He is just training, without any set opponent yet. But he has packed on some beef and is apparently hitting a bit harder.
Andy Lee began teaching him how to move his feet and head, then how to come in and fire and get out again, and now I think it's all about bringing the heat. Something lacking in Parkers career after the tomato cans.
As a fighter, Parker has improved over the last almost two years with Lee which is great.

[The Gratest]

Not sure if a heavier, slower, less mobile Parker stands a better chance against the naturally bigger Zhang (if it is indeed the rematch next). You'd think that would just be playing into Zhang's hands and presenting an easier target for Zhang to fire off on.

He is just training, without any set opponent yet. But he has packed on some beef and is apparently hitting a bit harder.
Andy Lee began teaching him how to move his feet and head, then how to come in and fire and get out again, and now I think it's all about bringing the heat. Something lacking in Parkers career after the tomato cans.
As a fighter, Parker has improved over the last almost two years with Lee which is great.

Well whoever he's up against next, I hope he keeps the winning run going.
I liked him originally as a boxer, but then began to see his personality. I enjoyed his goofy videos during lockdown. Nowadays though, I really admire his great big balls. In an era of posturing and shitty bickering negotiations, to go in and take on Wilder and then follow that up immediately with Zhang...well

[big lennox]

I was hoping to see Zhang vs Bakole.

I love Parker's attitude: have gloves, will travel, will fight. He has beaten Ruiz, Wilder and Zhang which is a tremendous legacy.

Same here.
As stylistic match ups, Bakole vs Zhang and Parker vs Kabayel.

That would be some card.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I guess it won’t be on Fury-Usyk 2