Joseph Parker v Zhilei Zhang: Kiwi heavyweight confirmed for Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou undercard

Joseph Parker celebrates victory with his medal. Photo / Getty Images.

Joseph Parker’s next heavyweight bout has been confirmed with the Kiwi-Samoan to take on China’s Zhilei Zhang on the undercard of the March 8 fight between Anthony Joshua and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

After beating former WBC world champion Deontay Wilder in a one-sided decision late last month, Parker has surged back to the top of the heavyweight division.

40-year-old Zhang has a 26-1-1 record, with impressive wins over Brit Joe Joyce last year, one by TKO and the most recent by a round three knock out.

Parker lost to Joyce by knock out in 2022 for his third career defeat but has won his four fights since.

✅ CONFIRMED: Full Undercard for Joshua-Ngannou on March 8.

1️⃣ Zhilei Zhang-Joseph Parker
2️⃣ Rey Vargas-Nick Ball
3️⃣ Mark Chamberlain-Gavin Gwynne
4️⃣ Justis Huni

(@arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/kEcLoGHtqt

— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) January 15, 2024

“I was asking for the fight with Joshua, a rematch, after this win over Deontay Wilder, but I guess they have their own plans and the path that they want to take,” Parker told Newstalk ZB’s Jason Pine earlier this month.

“I’ve seen that’s been announced, it’s massive news, and I guess because Francis Ngannou put on a great performance against Tyson [Fury], who didn’t put on the best performance himself, I think a lot of people are going to be interested to see what Joshua does with Francis Ngannou.”

Joseph Parker v Zhilei Zhang head-to-head

Parker

Age: 31

Height: 6 ft 4 in

Reach: 193 cm

Record: 34-3

Wins by KO: 23

Zhang

Age: 40

Southpaw

Height: 6 ft 6 in

Reach: 203 cm

Record: 26-1-1

Wins by KO: 21