Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker are set to fight for the interim WBO World Heavyweight title at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The match is an undercard event, highlighting heavyweight talents in a 12-round battle.
Joseph Parker, a New Zealander with a record of 34-3 and 23 KOs, enters the ring as the challenger. At 32 years old, Parker holds a history as a former WBO champion and has been in the ring with the likes of Deontay Wilder. His improvements under trainer Andy Lee have made him a more confident fighter according to close friend Tyson Fury. Fury noted, "Joe is a very improved fighter and he's in good form."
On the opposite corner stands Zhilei Zhang, the WBO interim heavyweight champion from China. Zhang, who is 40 years old with a record of 26-1-1 including 21 KOs, has surprised many with his abilities. Critics often misjudge his size when seen on TV but acknowledge that his fighting level surpasses that of any opponent Parker has faced in the last six years.
Tyson Fury shared mixed feelings about Parker’s chances against Zhang. Despite acknowledging Parker's improvements and their close friendship, Fury pointed out Parker's lack of nastiness could be his downfall. "He has no nastiness in him," Fury said regarding Parker’s character. However, despite these concerns, Fury backs Parker for the win due to his younger age compared to Zhang’s 40 years.
The oddsmakers favor Zhilei Zhang over Parker for reasons beyond just fighting skills. Analysts remain unimpressed by Parker’s recent win over Deontay Wilder, attributing part of it to Wilder not being at his best rather than highlighting anything particularly special from Parker.
For Joseph Parker, victory over Zhilei Zhang goes beyond bragging rights; it opens doors for other lucrative fights in Saudi Arabia. The bout stands as a classic confrontation between youth and experience—Parker's agility versus Zhang's seasoned capability.
The fight between Joseph Park and Zhilei Zhang shapes up as an intriguing matchup with its share of unanswered questions – can Parker leverage his youth to overcome Zhang's sprawling experience? Or will Zhang extend his reign as champion while defying age constraints? All eyes will be directed towards Riyadh this Friday for answers.
What time is Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker fight
Live coverage for the Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker main card will start at 10:00 AM EST on the DAZN PPV card. Refer to the table below to find your local time.
| Region | Date | Main Card Start Time | Main Event Ring Walks (approx.) |
| USA and Canada (EST) | Friday, March 8, 2024 | 10:00 AM | 03:20 PM |
| USA and Canada (PT) | Friday, March 8, 2024 | 07:00 AM | 12:20 PM |
| UK and Ireland (GMT) | Friday, March 8, 2024 | 02:00 PM | 07:20 PM |
| Australia (AEDT) | Saturday, March 9, 2024 | 01:00 AM | 06:20 AM |
The Parker vs. Zhang bout is scheduled for March 08, 2024, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This match is not the main event of the evening, which means the exact start time can vary. Typically, undercard fights like this one are subject to shifts depending on how earlier bouts conclude.
Fighters Details
Zhilei Zhang is set to face Joseph Parker in a heavyweight clash, with the WBO Interim World Heavy title on the line.
Zhilei Zhang
- Nationality: China
- Stance: Southpaw
- Height: 198cm
- Total Fights: 28
- Record: 26 / 1 / 1
Turning pro in 2014, Zhang boasts a record of 26 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. His knockout victory over Joe Joyce in his last bout showcases his power. Given Joyce's impressive stats, Zhang's punch carries significant threat into this matchup.
Joseph Parker
- Nationality: New Zealand
- Stance: Orthodox
- Height: 193cm
- Reach: 193cm
- Total Fights: 37
- Record: 34 / 3 / 0
Parker turned professional in 2012 and has a record of 34 wins and 3 losses. His unanimous decision win against Deontay Wilder demonstrates his capability to handle powerful opponents, suggesting an intriguing contest with Zhang's punching power.
Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker Betting Odds
- Favorite: Zhilei Zhang : 1.44 (-225)
- Underdog: Joseph Parker : 2.75 (+175)
| Method of victory | Zhilei Zhang | Joseph Parker |
| By KO/TKO or disqualification | 1.87 (-115) | 7.5 (+650) |
| By decision or technical decision | 5.0 (+400) | 4.33 (+333) |
| Draw or technical draw | 17.0 (+1600) | 17.0 (+1600) |
How and where to watch the Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker Fight
You can watch Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker via DAZN, Sky Sports, Sky GO.
| Region | Monthly Subscription | Annual Subscription | PPV Price |
| USA | $19,99 on a 12-month contract or $24,99 month-to-month | $224,99 | $40,0 |
| Canada | $24,99 per month | $199,99 | $39,99 |
| UK and Ireland | £9,99 on a 12-month contract or £19,99 month-to-month | £99,99 | £19,99 |
| Australia | 13,99 AUD | — | $37,99 |
If your country is blocked by the streaming services or there simply isn’t any viable options for your country, we only can recommend one solution: using a VPN software to bypass the restrictions. It allows you to change your IP address and appear as if you’re watching the event from another country.
So if you live in either the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, UAE, Mexico, Spain or any other country and can’t find a working provider to watch the Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker fight, use our recommended (and tested) VPN and switch to a location of your choice.
Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker Fight Card
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