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

Parker has shown significant improvement in the last couple of fights, Zhang still has enough in the tank so we are expecting a great fight, in my opinion this should be the main fight of the evening considering that it is two fighters from the Top 10...

 

So where did I say Joyce was injured or it was a lucky punch? Where did I say Joyce would crush AJ? Where did I compare his wins over Joyce to Parker’s win over Wilder? Please reread what I said as you have clearly conflated what I’ve said with what others have said.

Zhang’s wins over Joyce were excellent, not denying that. I just don’t think he’s clear of guys like Parker and Hrgovic. Guys like Sanchez and Kabayel imo would give him a good fight. Styles make fights and I think Parker’s style will give Zhang a much tougher time than Joyce. I think it’s a highly competitive fight.

 

You said people overrated Zhang after Joyce fight. I explain what I think about it and why.
I dont know what's Your prediction before Zhang and Joyce reematch. Cant find it.
But if You write that Zhang is overrated after this I guess You just ignore fact that Zhang beat top guy 2 times when more than half people even in reematch write he will lose again.

You think Parker style is bad for Zhang? What's specific in Parker box let You think that?
What fight? (Pls not Wilder one)
When Parker outboxed big puncher and box in and out winning rounds?

I know Joseph Parker who lost decision to Joshua, Whyte, give very even fight with Chisora and Ruiz. Also remeber him fighting bigger not even hard puncher Joyce and being KO.

But You guys belive his style is bad for Zhang. Ok. We will see.

For me Parker got actually bad style for win with someone like Zhang but I can be wrong.

 

More in general, I don’t think he’s a level above the current crop of top heavyweights unlike Usyk and Fury.

I wasn’t on here for those fights, but I’ll be honest and backed Joyce the first time. For the second fight I backed Zhang as it was clear I underestimated him/he was all wrong for Joyce. I also felt Zhang beat Hrgovic, he’s a legit top 5 heavyweight and for me is probably 4/5 behind Usyk, AJ, and Fury.

I’m not confident in my prediction, Zhang is a very good heavyweight and I can see him winning this. Parker is a much more mobile than Joyce, is durable (again the stoppage against Joyce was down to exhaustion and Joyce’s cumulative power rather than a single punch), has good fundamentals, and has a significant amount of momentum behind him.

Because of these facts I think he will be a tough opponent for Zhang and I think he can win, especially if he targets Zhang’s body. Zhilei tired towards the later rounds in the Hrgovic fight and suffered some serious health issues in the Forrest fight. Parker may have not looked his best in the first Chisora fight but since then he’s been very good and has been improving. There is no shame in losing to Joyce who for me is still a top 10 guy.

We will see and I may be wrong, I’m not that confident in my prediction. I’m just happy to see two legit top contenders get it on, just what the heavyweight division needs.

 

Where was that movement and style when he fought slower Joyce?
Pls just dont tell me again this fake news about choosing bad strategy...

Parker is offensive boxer who always try find his way to let his fast hands work. He is no slick boxer who is hard to catch and land smth.
That's the reason why he had soo much problem to catch mobile Hughie Fury and even much, much older Pulev look much better with him.
That's the reason why he got close fights with ppl like Ruiz, Chisora 1 and Whyte and dont just use his mobility to outbox them easy way.

And last that's the reason why he cant outbox slow Joyce but took soo many shoots from him that cumulation was possibile even.

If he will try outbox Zhang he must change his style and I dont belive it worked. If he go for body he will be in Zhang reach open for his counter combos and Zhang hands are very quick.

For me You guys just try make Parker someone else he is.

His style is not soo bad for Zhang. I would say Zhang style bad for him more.

But we will see.
Off course when Zhang KO Parker some ppl would said that he is genius. But still not true.

There is many boxer who would win win with Zhang because of style. Just not Parker imo.

 

I don’t understand what you are getting at. What is this fake news business? Styles make fights and Joyce’s relentless pressure caught up with Parker. Parker is not slick but he’s a significantly more mobile than Joyce. He also has a good chin so I think it will be difficult for Zhang to stop him in the same fashion as he did with Joyce.

Again I’m not confident or set in my prediction, it could go either way and time will tel which way it goes.

 

Looks like he is not mobile enough to run away from slow Joyce.
People said again and again how Parker use bad tactic here and that's why he lost.
No. He just cant use other because he is offensive fighter who cant outbox bigger Man easy with mobility.

Joyce before Zhang was probably recognized as toughest man in hw division and still Zhang KO him pretty easy.
Parker dont have better chin. Opposite.

And again. PARKER STYLE IS NOT GOOD FOR WIN WITH ZHANG.

 

Again you are stating things I did not say - never mind what others have said. Parker lost because despite Joyce’s lack of speed, it’s hard to avoid that pressure over 12 rounds unless you are a mover (Usyk/Fury) or hit like a truck (Zhang/Wilder).

Parker may not have a better chin but he is objectively much harder to hit clean (being the key word) than Joyce. I don’t think Zhang will be able to land at will like he did against Joyce.

As I’ve said before I’m not certain on my pick and I rate Zhang highly, he very well could win this (and is definitely the favourite to).

 

Parker is far more elusive than Joyce or Hrgovic - and Zhang does not bring the same pressure as either of those two.

Parker will have space to execute his game plan - and believe me, Andy Lee will have an excellent plan in place

 

Exactly. Let Parker prove the doubters wrong.

 

I honestly feel like Parker's approach may be similar to his approach with Wilder.

Sudden winging rights into the clinch. BAM and then into safety.

Andy Lee will be scouring the film for openings - and he will find them

 

If Joyce had no problem landing on Parker, Zhang shouldn't either. He's deceptively quick too.

 

that's easy to do against someone as limited and shot as Wilder. Zhang is bigger, way stronger and has more tools than Wilder does. Clenching might help him early, but if he starts bearing Zhang's weight, he's going to break down like he did against Joyce.

 

You’re telling me Joe is the big spoon in this relationship? Struthin heck. I’ve heard it all.

 

Funny how Wilder at 38 is shot AFTER Parker beats him. Guess Zhang will magically become shot too.