Boxing News: Joseph Parker vs. Zhilei Zhang Booked for Joshua vs. Ngannou Co-Main Event
Zhilei Zhang will face Joseph Parker as the co-main event to Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou on March 8, 2024. The fight was reported by Ariel Helwani on January 15.
The heavyweight throwdown is the second fight announced for the Riyadh boxing card. Both Zhang and Parker are coming off emphatic wins over top heavyweight contenders.
Update: The full card has now been announced:
In Zhang's last appearance he knocked out Joe Joyce for the second time to put a stamp on their rivalry - further distancing himself from his loss to Filip Hrgovic in the process. Parker on the other hand defied the oddsmakers by thoroughly dismantling Deontay Wilder in a 12-round affair, picking up one of the highest-profile victories in his 37-fight career.
It was Parker's victory over Wilder which inadvertently caused Joshua to pick Ngannou as his next opponent. The Brit was slated to face Wilder in early 2024 if the American fighter could defeat Parker at "The Day of Reckoning". Promotor Eddie Hearn named Zhang, Ngannou, and Hrgovic as possible names for Joshua's next bout, and they picked Ngannou.
Because of this matchmaking, it would appear that the winner should stake their claim for a shot at Joshua if he defeats Ngannou. "AJ" is geared to contend against the winner of Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk with a victory on March 9, but if not, a clear contender will be waiting in the wings.
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