Zhang Zhilei vs Joseph Parker - Just when you thought the heavyweight scene was dying, it revives.

I was disappointed because Parker didn't pick Hrgovic so I underestimated him. I still think that Zhang will win, but not easily, Parker moves very well, he has experience, big fights are behind him and age is on his side, if he manages to resist Zhang's punches to the end, then he could take the victory, but he needs to be smart.

 

For sure Parker got more chance with Zhang than with Filip Hrgovic. Age, stamina and activity- that's the reasons.
But still Parker will face much bigger men with very very dangerous punching power and iron chin who also got very quick hands.

Parker move very good? Hell no. He off course is quiet mobile dude but he never was and never be slick boxer who outbox You on backfoot.
That's why he dont had advantage in fight with Whyte, and got little advantage over ppl like Ruiz and Takam.

Parker is boxer who go forward to use his fast hand speed in his distance. That's why he go toe to toe with Joyce.

In his last fight he also was not super quick on feet. Off course he win with Wilder on points but often when he try attack his legs left behind and cant Reach Wilder who just do 2 step back.

Its easy to outboxing dude who throw 35 punch in whole fight.

Zhang will catch Parker with his quick combos when he try land smth on him and Im pretty sure this make effect on him. Dont think Parker with soo much bigger puncher next to him can make fight soo intense to make Zhang tired and end him.

But off course Zhang being lazy in some rounds and also is old and saving his energy in fight. That's good possibility to try build point advantage.
Parker is no joke for sure but I just dont see Zhang cant find him with his punches.
Unlike Wilder Zhilei think at ring and got more to offer than 1 punch again and again.

 

This is a pretty spot on analysis in my opinion. Parker implemented a plan against Wilder perfectly, and he deserves the credit for staying composed and doing that over twelve rounds. But we all know the old saying - "Everybody has a plan til they get punched in the mouth," and because it was an older, seemingly mellowed out version of a guy who largely relied on a single punch he telegraphed like crazy even during his best years, Parker didn't really have to contend with the whole "punched in the mouth" part. Parker has better head movement and speed than Joe Joyce for sure, but it still isn't incredible or anything. Zhang's got quite a few punches in his arsenal, and they can come out of anywhere at times, so it's very much a matter of when and not if something lands.

I'm not saying Parker can't win or anything, there is a path to victory for him, but it's gonna hinge on how well his chin can hold up to big bombs that land with any sort of frequency. From a guy with big power in both hands and an ability to sneak them in, that's gonna be a tall order.

 

Zhang is anything but less dangerous than Hrgovic, his style is more awkward, he throws more devastating punches that cause more damage...

 

Off course he is maybe not less dangerous but he is easier to beat than Filip for someone like Joseph Parker.

Zhang punching power is better than Hrgovic but they both are punchers.
Difference is that one dude throw 700 punches in intense fight and other 300 punches less.

Hrgovic same as Zhang is big strong dude with great chin (Filip maybe even better here), good punching power but Filip is also much Younger and have better stamina and workrate.
He also got even much better reach than Zhilei if stats talk true and use his jab very effective.

Off course Zhang punching little harder so he can destroy someone like Joseph quicker but Filip is the one who will throw more destroying chance for build point advantage.
He will not sleep and being lazy to just shoot few combos per round.

I think lazy Zhang is much better opponent for Parker to try win. I can find 2 maybe 3 advantage over Zhang for him wich give his team hope.
Vs Filip only advantage is expirience what mean pretty small compare to all other aspects.

So Yes. I still think that Zhang even if he got 1 punch power little better than Croatian is easier opponent. Easier not mean easy and still I vote for Zhilei win that fight.

 

Parker must elude Zhang's heavy punches in the early rounds - and hit Zhang to the body HARD.

Zhang will tire in the later rounds, and Parker can go in for the stoppage

 

The same looping right hands that Parker wobbled Wilder with was completely shrugged off by Joyce. Parker was landing those rights on Joyce from the start of the fight. The difference is Joyce wasn't bothered and had no problem taking a punch to land his own. Compared to how Zhang battered Joyce and how fast his punches took a toll on him it leaves little doubt on who is going to win this fight. Zhang has much faster hands than Joyce, more power, more accuracy, and better timing. As someone who has rooted for Parker since before Ruiz I would like to see him win. I just don't see it happening.

 

still seems doa to me. it'll take years of top guys fighting competent opponents multiple times a year to undo the damage that has been done.

 

Parker is ruthlessly exposing AJ's cowardice.
First Wilder while AJ fight Wallin.
Then Zhang while AJ fights the mma fighter.
What next, fighting Fury even?
Luckily for AJ he is so incredibly stupid he can't see how bad this makes him look.

 

You're probably right but bear in mind you are thinking of Zhang vs Joyce. Have you seen some of Zhang's bad fights? He looked very beatable vs Forrest, for example.

 

Yes, I saw it. Opinion unchanged.

 

Zhang has finally hired a S&C coach who has experience training pro fighters like Jacobs so we can only wait and see if his stamina improves. He had this coach for the Joyce rematch and he seemed fitter and more energetic in the fight with the combos

 

I agree with this to a certain extent, I think Parker has to get Zhang's respect very early in the fight or else he's going to be in big trouble. In my mind, I don't see it happening and am going with Big Bang by mid rounds KO.

Of course, this is only if Zhang comes in top shape. And doesn't get old overnight.

 

A cuppa real ones meeting up.

I know Parker has been out in the wilderness a little bit but his toa lives on inside him.