4 – Zhilei Zhang VS Joseph Parker
The co-main event of ‘Knockout Chaos’ features two heavyweight contenders on the cusp of a world title shot. Both Zhilei Zhang (26-1-1) and Joseph Parker (34-3) went undefeated in 2023 and picked up career-best wins. For the 40-year-old Zhang, his 2023 was a pair of fights with the former undefeated silver medalist, Joe Joyce. Zhang was originally seen as an acceptable stay-busy fight for Joyce while Joyce was the WBO Mandatory and in a position to fight for a title next. Entering the contest as a massive -1100 favorite according to oddsmakers, Joyce was expected to defend his WBO interim heavyweight title without much difficulty. However, Zhang started fast, consistently landing his left straight to the eye of Joyce. Joyce’s eye began to swell and the fight was stopped in the sixth round with advice from the ringside doctor. Zhang dominated the rematch as well, featuring a highlight reel KO in the third round. Joyce, known for his granite chin, fell flat to his face following a right hook from the Chinese Olympian.
Parker had similar success in 2023, winning four fights in a row. Parker’s career heading into 2023 had major concerns. His fight with Joyce was unsuccessful, suffering a loss by TKO for the first time in his career. Parker earned 3 wins in short succession against beatable opponents for his level: Jack Massey, a former cruiserweight, Faiga Opelu, a domestic level heavyweight from Australia, and Simon Kean, a Canadian boxer with durability questions. Each one provided moderate to little resistance to the former champion. The real test was this past December, when Joseph Parker was selected as the comeback opponent for Deontay Wilder.
Billed as “The Day of Reckoning,” Wilder and Anthony Joshua were featured in the co-main events to eventually make a fight between the two former champions in 2024. Wilder, regarded as having the easier opponent, enjoyed the position of being a -800 favorite. Parker however, had other ideas. In a virtuoso performance, Parker shut out Wilder in Riyadh ruining future plans for Joshua vs. Wilder. Parker’s defense was on display as he avoided punches from Wilder who boasted a 91% KO ratio. The official scores read 118-111, 118-110, and 120-108, a dominant win for the Kiwi heavyweight.
Now these two men will face each other in the co-main event of “Knockout Chaos.” The contest is for the WBO heavyweight interim title, putting the winner in position to fight the winner of Fury vs. Usyk. The winner of Joshua Ngannou also a likely reward for the winner as well. This fight will likely be a contest of volume vs power. Parker will likely need to concede a power advantage to Zhang and look to overwhelm Zhang with volume. Zhang will need to remain patient. As someone who has had cardio problems each time he has gone 12 rounds, being sharp and economical early will be crucial. Zhang’s success will come from his ability to land straight left hands. Both men have beaten odds stacked against them before, but only one can come out on top in this clash of Davids turned Goliaths.
–Philip Walsh
