As quickly as Tyson Fury changed the landscape of the heavyweight division with his against-the-odds defeat of Wladimir Klitschko, so it fractured again with the IBF immediately splintering off and declaring their title vacant.
In their own way the IBF may have done heavyweight boxing a favour as it has cleared a path for two of the sport’s most promising young heavyweights, Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker, to step up and sign the most significant fights of their respective careers.
As much of a big deal as unbeaten heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua is in the UK, Joseph Parker, a legitimate contender/threat to any heavyweight you could care to mention, is as big a deal in New Zealand. Parker, unbeaten at 18-0(16) has plenty of good judges believing he is the next dominant heavyweight in a division that is suddenly red-hot again.
And Parker, who has been calling out “A.J” for some time now, will continue to target the Londoner, if he beats Charles Martin in April as the bookmakers say will be the case. If not, Parker will happily challenge reigning IBF heavyweight boss Martin.
Unbeaten New Zealand heavyweight hopeful Joseph Parker celebrated being moved to number one by the WBO in their updated rankings by immediately calling out fellow unbeaten prospect, Brit, Anthony Joshua.
Joshua is currently ranked number two by the WBO and a fight between the two would see the winner become the mandatory to take on current champion Tyson Fury.
Apia, Samoa, Faleata Sports Complex. As expected Joseph Parker improved to 18(16)-0 with a methodical beat down of human punching bag Jason Bergman 25(16)-12-2 in the eighth round of their scheduled twelve round fight.
Before a boisterous hometown crowd in Apia, Parker came out pawing his trademark jab looking to set up a big right hand, before settling into his work from the second which was punctuated with a knock down to Bergman from a thudding left hand.
Apia, Samoa. It might not quite be ‘The Rumble in the Jungle,’ but as far flung and unexpected locations for a boxing match go the tropical balmy climes of Samoa are right up there. And there is a palpable sense of anticipation breezing through this tiny island nation right now ahead of Joseph Parker’s clash with his first southpaw opponent, American, Jason Bergman.
Even Parker’s promoters Duco have cheekily drawn parables with Ali and Foreman’s historic fight, labelling Parker and Bergman’s clash the slightly more clunky sounding ‘The Rumble in Paradise.’ Whether a rumble ensues remains to be seen but the exotic surroundings that make up Samoa’s sunny islands definitely qualifies as paradise.
Unbeaten heavyweight contender Joseph Parker (17-0, 15 KOs) says he hopes to face undefeated British/Commonwealth heavyweight champion Antony Joshua (15-0, 15 KOs) in the future. Parker, 23, is a little bit younger than the 26-year-old Joshua, but with perhaps a little more punching power in both hands. Joshua has been developed a bit more as a pro, and he would appear to be a little ahead of the 6’4” New Zealand heavyweight at this time.
Parker saw Joshua’s recent 7th round stoppage over the injured Dillian Whyte last December and he was impressed with what he saw from Joshua. Whyte staggered Joshua in the 2nd round before suffering an injury to left power hand and being forced to fight mainly with only one good hand the rest of the way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9n3b17TcXo
World rated heavyweight despatched Daniel Martz with a blistering right hand in front of a vocal Claudelands Arena in the very first round of their scheduled 12 round contest.
Before we get to the interview we must fast forward one day past our first sit-down when I catch up with Joseph Parker, stable mate Izu Ugonoh and trainer Kevin Barry to watch as Tyson Fury dethrones Wladimir Klitschko and assume the mantle as the king of the heavyweight division.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMj3U0Vz4yM
Trusts Arena Auckland – Joseph Parker came out firing from the first round to break down and ultimately stop durable veteran and former world title challenger Kali Meehan early in the 3rd round of their scheduled 12 round fight to cap off a busy night of action.
When Joseph Parker walks into the gym you can clearly tell he’s been in beast mode. At 23 he is still clearly growing into his body while in the last 12 months the chest the lats and traps have become noticeably bigger. Parker has been posting up various clips on his social media accounts, performing a multiplicity of pull-ups and press-ups; his trainer Kevin Barry opting for the old school bodyweight drills of yesteryear as the favoured way to build his charge’s strength and conditioning.
The result? Parker now resembles something close to a tank, but reassuringly if his pad and heavy bag work are anything to go by, he hasn’t lost any of his speed.