Kiwi Boxer Joseph Parker has won the WBO interim heavyweight title, beating China's Zhilei Zhang by majority decision in Saudi Arabia, despite being knocked down twice during the fight.
Parker, 32, was far more active and accurate than his 40-year-old opponent throughout the fight, with the three judges scoring the bout 113-113, 114-112 and 115-111 in favour of the former world champion.
The win takes Parker to a record of 35-3 and hands Zhang just his second career defeat. Due to a one-way rematch clause agreed before the fight, the pair will likely have to meet again before Parker can fight another opponent.
Both Parker and Zhang took time to feel each other out during the opening round, as the two fighters were reluctant to throw many punches early on.
Zhang picked up his activity in round two, landing some powerful body shots on Parker, who struggled to land anything significant across the first six minutes.
Zhang then landed the biggest shot of the bout so far, dropping Parker to the canvas with a straight jab. The Kiwi bounced back to his feet, but was then backed into a corner by Zhang, who looked like he was going to finish the fight quickly.
Parker was saved by the bell, as the fight moved to round four.
Momentum switched in the fourth, when Parker was finally able to show his power, landing a combination late that caught Zhang slightly off guard, before knocking the Chinese giant off balance with a brutal right rook.
Rounds five and six were far more even, as both fighters just missed on powerful shots, but Parker landed more of his punches throughout the two rounds, as he slowly swung the fight around at the halfway mark.
The danger of Zhang's left hand was back on display in the seventh, but he was unable to land a significant enough strike to trouble Parker as he did in the third.
Parker landed a big right hook to start the eighth, but it once again failed to move Zhang, who countered with a combination. Zhang then dropped Parker down for the second time with an effortless right hook.
Although Parker was again able to stand up, the difference in their power was well on display.
However, as the intensity picked up in the ninth, Parker was once again the fighter landing all the punches while moving forward.
The Kiwi continued to stay more active in rounds 10 and 11, as Zhang looked more and more tired, breathing with his mouth open, while using the ropes for protection. His team urged him to attack more heading into the final round, telling him he needed a knockout to win the fight.
He was unable, as Parker continued to outwork his opponent until the final bell and seal the incredible win, despite the knockdowns.
"This is a great win, I just feel like we are on the up now," Parker said. "Zhang is a tough man.
"He knocked me down twice, but when I came back to the corner, Andy told me to keep my composure, keep boxing and to follow the plan.
"I'm going to go home and celebrate."
