Joseph Parker confirmed he is to fight Zhilei Zhang again later in 2024 after outpointing his rival to win the WBO interim heavyweight title.

The New Zealander, 32, recovered from two knockdowns to record another impressive victory and enhance further the reputation that has been growing since the decision he earned in December over Deontay Wilder.

After 12 rounds with Zhang in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he was awarded scores of 114-112, 115-111 and 113-113, but unlike Anthony Joshua, who in victory over Francis Ngannou can expect a future date with the winner of the two fights between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, he will again have to fight the 40-year-old Zhang.

“This is a great win,” Parker said. “I feel like we’re on the up now. Zhang is a tough man. He knocked me down twice but when I came back to the corner Andy [Lee, my trainer] was, ‘Keep your composure; keep boxing and follow the plan’. 

“Andy and George [Lockhart, my conditioner] did a hell of a job with me. Everyone that’s here. So, listen, I’m very happy – I’m gonna go home and celebrate.

“Hard work. After the defeat to Joe Joyce [in 2022; Joyce had also twice lost to Zhang], and the win over Jack Massey, I still wasn’t happy with my performance. I have George here and Andy here, and that’s the people I thank. Everyone. It’s an incredible feeling coming back from that loss, and now look where we are. Thank God.”

Parker’s respected trainer Andy Lee had recently told BoxingScene that a rematch with Zhang was likely, regardless.

“What next is I’m fighting Zhang again,” Parker continued. “We’re gonna do it again.

“That’s that we’re contracted to.”