Follow live coverage of today’s heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and the former UFC world champion Francis Ngannou
Joshua vs Ngannou fight start time update
Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight fight with Francis Ngannou was initially scheduled for 11.20pm GMT, or 6.30pm ET. The ring walks are now expected to take place in around 15 minutes time, which means you can expect the fight to start at around 00.40am GMT, or 7.40pm ET.
So we’re running somewhere around 60-90 minutes behind schedule.
CompuBox’s fight analysis from Joseph Parker’s victory over Zhilei Zhang: “Zhang knocked Parker down in the third and eighth rounds, but Parker almost doubled up Zhang in power punches landed 79-40.
“Parker averaged 22 punches thrown per round over rounds 1-6, while Zhang averaged 26. Over rounds 7-12, Parker averaged 30 punches thrown per round, while Zhang decelerated to 19.5 punches thrown per round.
“Parker outlanded Zhang 53-31 over the last half of the fight.”
David Higgins, Joseph Parker’s manager, has just been interviewed on DAZN.
“It’s still sinking in,” he says. “Momentum is a big part. It feels like everything has come together. That was a very tough fight.
“I was nervous (when the scorecards were read out) but the team is elated and we are very grateful to all of the fans and all of the promoters.”
Higgins also confirmed that Parker is contractually obliged to take on Zhang in a rematch. “They demanded a one-sided rematch. We wanted to keep busy so we took the fight. So we will do it again.”
What a victory for Joseph Parker. But the Zhilei Zhang rematch seems a bit of a weird move. Does anybody particularly want to see that fight again?
Joseph Parker has just been interviewed by DAZN and he has confirmed his next fight will be a rematch with Zhilei Zhang. He says: “Zhang is a tough man. But Andy Lee told me to keep my composure and to follow the plan. I am very happy and I can’t wait to go back home to celebrate.
“This is the result of hard work. Hard work. And hard work. It’s an incredible feeling to come back from the Joe Joyce loss and now look at where we are.
“And next — we’re going to do the Zhang fight again. That’s what the contract says. So that’s what we’re going to do.”
What a victory! Via majority decision.
The scorecards are read out: 113-113. 114-112. And 115-111.
That’s a huge victory for Parker and he is now the WBO interim champion.
Here we go then!
Zhilei Zhang’s corner have urged their man forward. Joseph Parker’s tell him to stick to the game plan and stay positive.
Zhang wings in a big right hook but misses wildly. Parker keeps doing what he has been doing, working the body and looking to land that overhand right.
Into the final minute. Zhang really hasn’t done much so far. He’s tired and this fight could be slipping away from him. Parker presses forward and again threads together some nice, eye-catching combinations.
And that’s that! Zhang twice sent Parker to the canvas. But I think the former WBO champion has done enough to win this on points.
For a man who has twice been put on his arse, Joseph Parker is boxing very, very well in the eleventh round of this heavyweight fight. He’s feinting nicely and causing Zhilei Zhang some real bother with his jab. Zhang needs to start letting his hands go but he’s unable to get in the positions to be effective.
It’s another busy round from Parker and surely another round in his favour. It promises to be an exciting final round. Both men need to win it and, even if they do, it still might not be enough!
