Heavyweight boxing is flourishing like never before, with a host of top fighters such as Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois leading the way.
Over the last 18 months, fans have been treated with countless showdowns between the biggest and best names in the division. In May, we witnessed the first undisputed heavyweight championship contest of the four belt era between Usyk and Fury, with the rematch set to take place next week.
In September, Wembley Stadium hosted a spectacle as Dubois knocked out Anthony Joshua to retain the IBF world heavàyweight title, which came as quite a shock to the boxing world.
And now, in the second defence of his world title, ‘Dynamite’ Dubois takes on former WBO heavyweight king Joseph Parker on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After months of speculation, it was Parker who was given the chance to become a two-time world champion and continue his fine run of form.
Another heavyweight contender who has thrown himself into the mix over the last year is Zhilei Zhang, who bounced back from defeat against Parker earlier in the year to knock out Deontay Wilder in June.
Ahead of the contest between Dubois and Parker, Zhang spoke to BoxNation to give his prediction.
“I like both fighters. I respect both fighters. But somewhere in my gut feeling is telling me that Dubois is gonna win this one. I admire his style and I like how he approached the fight.
I like Parker as well, but I believe subconsciously that Dubois is gonna win.”
Dubois vs Parker will take place on another incredible night of boxing in Riyadh, with the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol rematch topping the bill with the latter looking to avenge his defeat to Beterbiev after their first fight in October.
