Joseph Parker will make his debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this weekend to challenge WBO interim heavyweight champion "The Big **" Zhang Zhilei, and he's hoping to make a breakthrough. Parker's coach, Andy Lee, said the reason why they came to a deal with Zhang so quickly after beating Deontay "Bronze Bomber" Wild last year was because the whole team felt that it was a battle that was going to happen no matter what.
Andy Lee told DAZN:"Parker's momentum is strong, and we could have waited a little longermonths, but will fight Zhang Zhilei anyway. Parker is in great form right now, with energy and momentum and will take on the biggest challenge here. Parker is a former World Champion, there is nothing to hide and nothing to fear, and he will compete in the best. ”
Andy Lee described Parker as going forward in the fight, but the reality is that Parker is likely to run in the ring all night and not be as aggressive as he was against Wilder, because Zhang is too fierce and he won't be walking around with his fists like Wilder.
Former IBF middleweight champion Darren Barker suggests:"Tactically speaking, Parker's game against Zhang Zhilei and Wilder is a completely different game, and he needs to attack selectively, rather than standing up and fighting Zhang Zhilei. ”
As a coach, Andy Lee is well aware of what Parker needs to do in front of Zhang, saying:"It's going to be difficult when you're standing in front of Zhang Zhilei, who definitely studied Parker and JoeJoyce's fight, he's going to put pressure on Parker to move forward, but we're prepared for that, and if Zhang chooses another strategy and stands in the back, it will be better for Parker, and we want Zhang to bring pressure, which is exactly what Parker's training plan is. ”
Zhang Zhilei has proven his power, and by destroying Joyce twice, he stands out more than expected, that is, in addition to his strong attack power, his technique and adjustment ability are quite good. Andy Lee was mentally prepared for this, he said:"Parker needs to get the timing right, Zhang Zhilei is better at standing there, his hands are raised, you punch at the same time, he will punch with you at the same time, in short, Zhang Zhilei is a dangerous fighter, Parker has to be very smart. ”
If Parker beats Zhang Zhilei, it will be an upset, at least a small upset, the key is that he can do it? Boxing expert Will Ahrens believes that despite the ambition of the Parker team, on the other hand, it is more like the organizers Saudi Arabia need the fight, and at the same time Parker can get a lot of money, as for his next attempt at the World Championship, it may be just one of the factors.
Objectively speaking, for Parker, challenging Zhang Zhilei is a dangerous competition, Zhang Zhilei is at the peak of both his competitive state and his psychological state, he will not dangle in front of Parker like Wilder, Zhang Zhilei is here to fight, and his various indices are very balanced.
Ahrens said"Zhang's technique is better, but Parker is still learning. Unlike Zhang, Parker hasn't experienced too many amateur competitions, let alone two Olympic Games, and he's just a professional boxing player. Parker's best win so far has come from Wilder, who has relied on the referee to help beat Andy JrOther than that, Ruiz's best win was Derek -Chesora up. ”
We can see what exactly Parker will do in front of Zhang Zhilei? He could shock the world or be worse than Joyce, so the answer will be revealed on March 9 (Beijing time).