Zhang Zhilei vs. Joseph Parker: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker clashes with current WBO interim heavyweight champion Zhang Zhilei of China in the co-main event of the Anthony Joshua Vs Francis Ngannou bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Both fighters are in top form and come into the scheduled twelve-rounder behind winning streaks. Zhang Zhilei had defeated Joseph Parker in 2011 when they met as amateurs at the 2011 World Championships. The winner here will likely be able to fight for the title soon. Early odds indicate that Zhang Zhilei is a huge favorite.

BOXING: WBO Heavyweight 

Venue: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Where to watch: DAZN

Date: 08.03.2024. 00:00

The forty-year-old Southpaw was impressive in defeating Joe Joyce twice last year. Rated at number 3 by the Ring Magazine at heavyweight, the win over Joyce in April saw the Chinese heavyweight return to the win column following a first career loss to Filip Hrgovic in 2022. Zhilei had a successful amateur career, which included a win over Parker and a loss to Anthony Joshua at the London Olympics.

• Age: 40
• Height: 6’ 6’’
• Reach: 80”
• Record: 26-1-1

The fight with Parker is one I have wanted for some time. We both had big years and his win over [Deontay] Wilder was impressive. Whoever wins deserves a title shot for sure.

Zhang Zhilei

New Zealand-born Parker is 10-1 in his last eleven fights. Last year, the 32-year-old scored an impressive unanimous decision over Deontay Wilder to retain the WBO inter-continental title and earn the Ring Comeback of the Year award for 2023. Ranked at number 4 by The Ring, Joseph Parker, who has twenty-three knockouts from thirty-four victories, claimed the vacant WBO gold after defeating Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2016. He lost the title to Anthony Joshua two years later.

• Age: 32
• Height: 6’ 4’’
• Reach: 76”
• Record: 34-3

Boxing doesn’t work in a way where if you beat someone who beat someone, then you are sure to beat the man that your former opponent beat. It is all about styles, and there are a lot of examples of this throughout the history of boxing. I did beat him to the points. I don’t have much to say because it was amateur boxing, and I was about 28, and he was even younger. A lot has changed in 13 years. Our styles developed. Professional boxing is also a different sport.

Zhang Zhilei

Joseph Parker is a 2.75 underdog on Bet365, which has the favorite by KO/TKO at 1.90 odds. On Betwinner, Total Over 10.5 is 1.99 odds, while the Under is 1.75. Zhang Zhilei by decision is 4.75 on 1XBET, with the underdog by decision at 4.5.