Joseph Parker survives two knock downs to outpoint Zhilei Zhang

JOSEPH PARKER bounced up off the deck twice to outpoint heavy hitting Zhilei Zhang for the interim WBO belt and got his career back on track by cementing his place in the heavyweight world title race.

The 32-year-old was first knocked down in the third round after the Big Bang landed a straight left that left a cut on Parkers nose. The second came in the eighth round shortly after Parker landed a good right on Zhangs chin who returned with a right on the back of Parker’s head.

Parker showed grit to get through the knockdowns which were not enough for Zhang to win the fight.

The Judges’ scorecards: 113-113, 114-112 and 115-111 to Parker.

Parker came off arguably one of the best performances of his career when he beat American Deontay Wilder in a unanimous decision last December, which took his record to 34 wins and three losses.

Zhang went in with a 26-1-1 record after defeating Joe Joyce twice last year.

Parker and Zhang are up for a rematch as with the one-way rematch clause that was designed to protect Zhang’s status as WBO interim champion after his two impressive stoppage victories over Joe Joyce.

Parker’s team flew both the New Zealand and Samoan flags prominently on ringside and started off his victory interview with an acknowledgement in the Samoan.

Joseph Parker celebrates victory with the title belt following the WBO Interim World Heavyweight title fight with Zhilei Zhang. Photo / Getty Images