Joseph Parker spoke to talkSPORT in anticipation of his upcoming bout on Knockout Chaos. Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker features on the Joshua Ngannou undercard next month.
Former WBO World Heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has confirmed Zhilei Zhang has a rematch clause ahead of their upcoming clash. Parker confirmed to talkSPORT that only Zhilei Zhang has a rematch, and if he defeats the WBO Interim Heavyweight champion he will have to face him a second time.
Asked on the one-way rematch clause, Parker said: “It is fight Zhang and win, fight Zhang again at the end of the year and win and then I’ll be free to fight anyone”. Parker also remarked it wasn’t anything unusual, and Joe Joyce did the same thing last year.
Rematch clauses in the Heavyweight division aren’t unusual. Zhilei Zhang is making a voluntary defence of his WBO Interim title, so it makes sense to negotiate a rematch in the event of a loss. The WBO title is currently held by Oleksandr Usyk, and the championship is held up until Fury vs Usyk with a further rematch between the pair expected.
Joe Joyce fought Zhilei Zhang twice after he lost his initial bout and used his rematch clause. Fabio Wardley has also negotiated a rematch clause for his Heavyweight bout vs Frazer Clarke next month, although the terms are more complicated.
You can read more on Knockout Chaos featuring Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker below.
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