Parker out to show why Joshua isn't the only undefeated heavyweight champion heading to Cardiff

Nick Watkins - Writer 15:49 15/01/2018
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  • Anthony Joshua isn’t the only undefeated title-holder heading into the March 31 clash.

    Hailing from New Zealand 26-year-old Joseph Parker has managed to climb the ranks of the heavyweight division, seemingly unnoticed, capturing the WBO strap along the way.

    After 66 fights as an amateur he made is professional debut in 2012 with a TKO victory in the second round. As a pro he’s remains victorious, winning 24 bouts in a combined total of 123 rounds – compared to Anthony Joshua’s undefeated record of 20 wins and a total of just 65 rounds.

    Parker’s record of 24-0-0 boasts 18 wins coming by way of knock out. His latest victory was a dubious majority decision victory over Hughie Fury – cousin of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury –, which stunk out the UK’s Manchester Arena. The bout will be best remembered (if remembered at all) for being the first boxing YouTube PPV event.

    His record doesn’t show any majorly recognised names from the heavyweight division, and he’s yet to defeat a world titleholder. Parker captured the vacant WBO championship, defeating Andy Ruiz Jr by majority decision at the end of 2016.

    Joshua (white trunks)

    He received criticism after his first defence of his title against the widely unknown, albeit awkward opponent, Razvan Cojanu. In a dirty scrap, Cojanu used his head and elbows as well as trash talk during the fight in an attempt to unsettle the champion.

    The challenger was eventually deducted a point by the referee for repeatedly pushing down on Parker’s neck. Parker admitted afterwards it was not a great fight and he struggled to connect with Cojanu with any real success.

    British heavyweights Tony Bellew and Dillian Whyte took note – both saying they could defeat Parker easily given the chance. Carlos Takam, the man who put up a brave fight against Joshua back in October, also suffered defeat at the hands of Parker in 2016 – losing via unanimous decision.

    The fight with Anthony Joshua not only makes sense for AJ, who will be the heavy favourite going into the fight, but for the New Zealander as well. Not only because he’ll finally be fighting in a major PPV event, which will of course make him a life-changing sum of money, but he’ll finally have the chance to prove himself against someone of genuine quality on the world stage. The fight also gives him the chance of adding the WBA and IBF titles to his mantelpiece.

    Joseph Parker 1

    Parker’s style is that of a heavy puncher, he won’t be dancing around the ring against Joshua. Instead, he’ll likely rely on throwing bombs and his toughness to get him through the fight. Joshua’s not much of a mover either, which works in favour of the WBO champion, who will be happier slugging it out than chasing shadows.

    Does anyone give Parker a chance? Probably not. But as Wladimir Klitschko, and even Carlos Takam showed, Joshua isn’t the indestructible force many thought when he was when blowing opponents away earlier in his career. Joshua slowed in later rounds, and was even put down, by the ageing Klitschko. Against Takam, a broken nose, albeit suffered by a head-butt, seemed to bother the Champion, who never really got going in the fight – despite leaving the ring victorious.

    Parker can take heart from the fact that unlike Joshua’s previous opponents, he too is an undefeated heavyweight champion with something to offer.

    What’s more, he’s a likeable guy with a crowd-pleasing style and something to prove, which can only make for an interesting fight, and if ever there was a fight to prove he’s a legitimate world champion, this is it.

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