By: Sean Crose
The favored 26-1-1 heavyweight Zhilei Zhang squared off in opposition to former world titlist Joseph Parker, 34-3 in Saudi Arabia Friday evening. The scheduled twelve spherical affair was the co-main of the a lot anticipated Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou throwdown. Zhang probed along with his southpaw jab within the first. Parker, alternatively, performed it moderately protected within the opening chapter of the combat. Parker landed a tough physique shot within the second whereas Zhang regarded for a gap. Parker was in a position to land once more – this time with a left – within the remaining minute of the spherical.
Within the third, Zhang discovered his mark, as he dropped Parker with a strong straight left. Parker received up straight away, however the level was clear…Zhang might get to his man. Certainly, he harm Parker once more simply earlier than the bell rang to finish the spherical. Parker, to his credit score, hung in there within the fourth and was even in a position to land properly himself. The fifth was moderately attention-grabbing, with every man tossing some heavy leather-based. The sixth was considerably gradual paced, however Parker confirmed he was in a position to land on his man with regularity. Within the seventh, it regarded as if Zhang might need been getting gassed.
Parker landed onerous on Zhang early on within the eighth, however Zhang took the shot properly. Certain sufficient, later within the spherical, Zhang put Parker again on the mat. Parker received up once more, although, and was as soon as once more in a position to survive the spherical. Certain sufficient, the New Zealander ended the spherical firing onerous. Zhang gave the impression to be unusually affected person within the ninth, as he had just lately dropped and harm his opponent within the earlier spherical. Certainly, he might properly have been out of gasoline. Parker remained the extra energetic of the 2 fighters within the tenth.
Merely put, Parker outboxed his man within the eleventh. And, positive sufficient, Zhang didn’t do a lot within the twelfth. Parker in the meantime remained crisp and energetic. The choice ended up going Parker’s manner by way of choice.
