British fight fans may not like it, and it’s likely British heavyweight stars Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and David Haye will not find it amusing either, but Joseph Parker’s manager Dean Lonergan has gone on record as saying his fighter will knock out any and every British heavyweight Parker may face after winning the IBF belt from Anthony Joshua. Parker earned a shot at Joshua’s IBF belt with a hard-fought 12-round points win over Carlos Takam last week, and he is eyeing a shot at A.J this year or early next.
Joseph Parker
Joseph Parker set for quick return, fight with Solomon Haumono signed, to be officially announced today
In what has to be looked at as a quite amazingly quick return to action for a world-ranked, indeed IBF mandatory heavyweight contender, New Zealand’s Joseph Parker will fight again in a couple of months. According to The New Zealand Herald, a Parker-Solomon Haumono fight was signed today, with Haumono due in Auckland later today for the official announcement of the July bout. In a day where most big-name heavyweights fight twice, maybe three times a year, Parker’s quick return – from his tough and demanding 12-round points win over Carlos Takam this past Saturday – shows how hungry the 24-year-old is.
Anthony Joshua-Joseph Parker, now that’s a real fight
With all due respect to the Dominic Breazeales and the David Hayes of the world, Anthony Joshua, the unbeaten holder of the IBF heavyweight belt, will engage in what could arguably be looked at as the first real test of his career, certainly his reign, when he faces the man who has just become his mandatory challenger, unbeaten New Zealand star Joseph Parker.
Joseph Parker out-points Carlos Takam, becomes IBF mandatory for Joshua
Earlier today in New Zealand unbeaten heavyweight prospect Joseph Parker kept his perfect record and made the transition to genuine contender with a hard-fought 12-round unanimous decision over experienced Cameroonian Carlos Takam. Parker triumphed by scores of 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113. Now 19-0(16) the man from Auckland earned a shot at IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua. Takam, who came to fight but was just not busy enough, falls to 33-3-1(25).
Parker V Takam a war! Round by round!
Ringside, Vofafone, Vector Arena, Manukau, Auckland City. Pro Joseph Parker (18-0-0) crowd in unanimity. There maybe the odd Frenchman or Cameroonian out there supporting Carlos Takam (33-2-1) but not evident. A sea of Parker supporters from end to end. People out in droves to watch the home town hero, Parker having grown up a 10 minutes down the road.
Takam ring walk – he looks pumped both emotionally and physically. Compact man with a set of biceps like bowling balls.
Video: Joseph Parker 234 vs. Carlos Takam 241
If not exactly playing the outright bad guy Carlos Takam has presented himself during his various media obligations in Auckland, as sullen, withdrawn and taciturn. Takam’s answers to even the most routine of questions posed to him could best be described as monosyllabic, although this may due to his tenuous grasp of the English language, Takam clearly preferring that any dialogue and discourse be conducted in French.
Joseph Parker’s trainer Kevin Barry twice turned down “risky” fight with Carlos Takam
It is a sign of how dangerous a task unbeaten New Zealand heavyweight contender Joseph Parker faces a week today against Cameroonian Carlos Takam, that his trainer Kevin Barry twice turned a possible fight with Takam down, as he was “all risk and no reward.” This was a few months back, when Parker needed, in the words of Barry, who was speaking with Stuff.co.nz earlier this week, “more time to develop and mature.”
Joseph Parker focused on Carlos Takam fight, his team already looking at potential blockbuster with Anthony Joshua
Unbeaten New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker has his biggest career test on May 21st, when he will, in an IBF elimination bout, face experienced French-based Cameroon heavyweight Carlos Takam. The fight will go ahead in New Zealand, much to the delight of Parker and his team, but Takam is unlikely to be overly fazed, having boxed in both Russia and Canada during his pro career.
Takam, 33-2-1(25) is 35-years-old and he was knocked out by Alexander Povetkin four fights ago, but he has good results on his record, including a win over Tony Thompson (when Thompson still had way more to offer than he did in his recent loss to Luis Ortiz) and a draw with a then unbeaten Mike Perez. Takam has won three in a row against so-so opposition since the loss to Povetkin (his other defeat coming on points to Gregory Tony of France way bay back in 2009).
Kali Meehan: Once Anthony Joshua has won the title, Joseph Parker will beat him
After a 19 year professional career that has propelled him all over the globe, former heavyweight world title challenger, Australian based New Zealander, Kali Meehan 42-6 (32 KOs), knows what qualities are required to reach the pinnacle of the sport. I recently spoke to “Mean Hands” Meehan, via telephone – from his home in Wyongah, New South Wales, Australia – to discuss both his colorful career, and to hear his assessment of his previous opponent, one of boxing’s rising stars: Joseph Parker.
Hailing from Levuka town, on the Fijian island of Ovalau – an island on which rugby is virtually a way of life – Kali Meehan’s mother would surely never have envisaged that her future son would one day become a successful prize-fighter, when she ventured to New Zealand half a century ago.
Interview: Joseph Parker discusses Carlos Takam, training camp and his newfound German ancestry
In every promising sports career there comes a breakout moment, a crossroads junction where hype meets reality. That moment has arrived for unbeaten prospect Joseph Parker as he commences preparations to face the always dangerous Carlos Takam in a fight, that if victorious, will see him transition from prospect to contender.
In 2015 Parker cut a swathe through his opposition, obliterating all who faced him with a string of booming knockouts courtesy of his powerful right hand. Despite this impressive run of performances Parker wasn’t immune from criticism as sceptics were quick to claim that his opponents were either over matched, over the hill or just plain underwhelming. ‘He needs to start stepping it up’ seemed to be the consensus of opinion while Parker kept busy in his work, fighting and winning six times in a little over ten months. This accelerated schedule saw him rewarded with a swift rise through the world rankings.