Manager brings update on Zheilei Zhang versus Joseph Parker rematch

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Former WBO interim heavyweight titleholder Zheilei Zhang’s co-manager brought an important update concerning the newly dethroned champion’s rematch with Joseph Parker.

During their fight at Riyadh on Friday, China’s Zhang knocked down New Zealand’s Parker twice but lost by split decision at the end.

However, fans would hear that the game was not over — Parker revealed in his post-fight comment that they had a rematch clause in their fight agreement.

Now Zhang’s co-manager Terry Lane has said the following to Sky Sports concerning the rematch:

‘I think Zhilei wants the rematch. From my perspective, if you take a step back and look at the big picture, what is going on now in the heavyweight division is really exciting.

‘It is reminiscent of eras past when there were a number of top, high-profile, world-class big men who kept fighting each other to the benefits of boxing fans. Styles make fights, and it is very nuanced.

‘Zhang beats Joyce, who lost to Parker? Surely Zhang beats Parker, right? Wrong. A beats B, B beats C, then A beats C? Not in boxing. It’s more of a game of Paper, Rock, Scissors where each beats one and loses the other.

‘Having said that, Zhilei can make the adjustments, win more rounds and go on to other things.’

The manager had started by saying good things about the New Zealander’s performance.

‘Firstly, our whole team wants to congratulate team Parker and Andy Lee for executing a perfect game plan for fighting Zhilei. Parker is a seasoned veteran and he surely showed it Friday night. The momentum that he has right now is incredible.’

Where and when the bout would take place depends on the future.