In a highly anticipated boxing match held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Joseph Parker emerged victorious over Zhilei Zhang by majority decision, claiming the WBO 'interim' heavyweight title. The bout, which was part of the undercard for the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou event, saw Parker overcoming two knockdowns to secure the win. The judges scored the fight 113-113, 114-112, and 115-111 in favor of Parker. This victory places Parker as the mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk's WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight world titles. Parker's win is notable as it follows his recent victory over Deontay Wilder, marking back-to-back wins against ESPN top-5 heavyweights and positioning him prominently within the division, especially after a KO loss to Joe Joyce in September 2022.
Joseph Parker beats Zhilei Zhang via majority decision on the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou undercard. ๐จ https://t.co/vXTUdMMeyE
Back-to-back wins for Joseph Parker over ESPN top-5 heavyweights in Deontay Wilder & now Zhilei Zhang. Unbelievable turnaround for Parker coming off KO loss to Joe Joyce in September 2022. Zhang floors Parker twice but didnโt do much else. Scores: 114-112, 115-111 & 113-113.
Taken out two of the biggest punchers in his last two fights ๐ @JoeBoxerParker #JoshuaNgannou, live now worldwide on DAZN. Buy ๐ก๐ข๐ช at https://t.co/FoiaUucafv #KnockoutChaos | #RiyadhSeason https://t.co/KpxOqUnTvG
Joseph Parker survives two knockdowns to beat Zhilei Zhang and put himself in line for world title shot https://t.co/ui3z6QjnSp https://t.co/hfao3ZTLST
Joseph Parker defeats Zhilei Zhang by Majority decision (113-113, 114-112, 115-111) ๐ฅ Do you guys agree with the decision? #KnockoutChaos | #JoshuaNgannou https://t.co/NkSU8ODxie
๐ 113-113 ๐ 114-112 ๐ 115-111 PARKER BEATS ZHANG! ๐จ #ZhangParker x #JoshuaNgannou https://t.co/Ir9dIhLTPD
113-113, 114-112, 115-111 for the winner by MD Joesph Parker. Back-to-back huge wins have revived Parker's career to the elite of the division after a devastating KO loss to Joe Joyce. That marks career wins over Andy Ruiz, Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang for Parker. #Boxing
Joe Parker wins via MD! 113-113, 114-112, 115-111 #KnockoutChaos @DAZNBoxing #ZhangParker https://t.co/6T9x5KV8tR
Parker wins! #JoshuaNgannou https://t.co/7HkFDtrMnj
โฌ๏ธ @joeboxerparker climbs off the canvas twice and outpoints the dangerous Zhilei Zhang in Riyadh. Scores: 113-113, 114-112 & 115-111 #JoshuaNgannou | #KnockoutChaos https://t.co/5ssroM8VmS
We go the cards in #ZhangParker: 113-113, 114-112, 115-111 for the winner by majority decision Joseph Parker, who wins the WBO interim heavyweight title! #boxing #KnockoutChaos
PARKER DOES IT ๐ @JoeBoxerParker gets off the canvas twice to defeat Zhang on points โ #JoshuaNgannou, live now worldwide on DAZN. Buy ๐ก๐ข๐ช at https://t.co/FoiaUucafv #KnockoutChaos | #RiyadhSeason https://t.co/H5IFdnlccv
โผ๏ธ Joseph Parker BEATS Zhilei Zhang by majority decision, overcoming two knockdowns to win the WBO 'interim' belt. Parker now WBO mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk's WBA, IBF & WBO heavyweight world titles.
Strong shots from Parker! #JoshuaNgannou https://t.co/OLeROyOICm
Parker down again! #JoshuaNgannou
Down goes Parker again! #JoshuaNgannou https://t.co/7HkFDtrMnj
Parker hits back ๐ #JoshuaNgannou https://t.co/7HkFDtrMnj
BANG goes Zhang ๐ฅ Parker down in the third #JoshuaNgannou, live now worldwide on DAZN. Buy ๐ก๐ข๐ช at https://t.co/FoiaUucafv #KnockoutChaos | #RiyadhSeason https://t.co/8QbowRFIcW
Parker down! #JoshuaNgannou https://t.co/7HkFDtrMnj
DOWN GOES PARKER! ๐ฑ #ZhangParker x #JoshuaNgannou https://t.co/zFvAyyWgpA
Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker is finally set to get underway! #KnockoutChaos | #JoshuaNgannou | #ZhangParker Follow ALL the action from tonight's huge event right here ๐ https://t.co/daoiZ6U2Hl https://t.co/daoiZ6U2Hl
Zhilei Zhang vs. Joseph Parker up shortly in the #JoshuaNgannou co-main event. Very excited for this heavyweight tilt. Zhang is the WBO interim heavyweight champion. Parker a few months removed from an epic upset of Deontay Wilder. Big stakes.
Next up: #ZhangParker ๐งจ You can't miss this one ๐ฟ #KnockoutChaos | Now | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia https://t.co/t3dlXRDBSs
Zhang/Parker next, then the main event. #JoshuaNgannou
The Big Bang is here ๐จ๐ณ๐ฅ Zhilei Zhang steps into another huge clash as he takes on @joeboxerparker ๐จ #KnockoutChaos #ZhangParker | Now | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia https://t.co/yv0OmM6zSQ