Joseph Parker defeats Zhilei Zhang via majority decision and WINS the WBO interim heavyweight title – despite being knocked down twice in ‘Knockout Chaos’ co-main event

• Parker defeated Zhang via decision to claim the WBO interim heavyweight title
• Zhang sent his New Zealand opponent to the canvas twice
• LIVE: Follow Mail Sport’s blog about all the action between Joshua and Ngannou

By Charlotte Daly

Published: 6:59 PM EST, March 8, 2024 | Updated: 6:59 PM EST, March 8, 2024

Joseph Parker defeated Zhilei Zhang via majority decision to claim the WBO interim heavyweight title on Friday night.

In the co-main event of the Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou card, the two heavyweights produced an exciting 12-round fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Both fighters came into the fight with impressive wins – with Zhang defeating Joe Joyce while Parker stunned Deontay Wilder in late 2023.

And in the third round, Zhang looked like he would pick up where he left off when he landed a flush left hand that sent his New Zealand counterpart crashing to the canvas.

However, Parker bounced back in the fourth and increased the pressure on his Chinese opponent to help restore balance to the fight.

From then on, Parker kicked on and looked much more confident with his shots – causing problems for Zhang as the fight progressed.

In the eighth round, Zhang sent Parker to the floor again, but the 32-year-old shook it off to claim victory that night.

More to follow…