so who wins joseph parker v carlos takam ?

[badkatt]

im going with the upset here ...i think takam weathers the early storm and knocks out joseph parker in the 9th rd ..

[jezzamundo]

I think it's a 50:50 fight - Parker with the physical advantages, Takam with a big edge in experience and possibly toughness. I really want Parker to win, but I'm pretty nervous about this one. Judging by the weigh in, they're both in top shape - Takam is 11lb lighter than when he fought Povetkin and Parker is always in shape, but 234lb is probably about perfect for him.

[PredatorHayds]

Parker on points around 117-11.

[jezzamundo]

The fight's over - Parker won a competitive decision, 115-113 and 116-112 x 2. Bad Left Hook scored it 115-113 to Parker, seems like the judges did a good job.

[Grailer]

Parkers first real fight .

[jezzamundo]

I think this proves everyone (myself included) who called this fight 50:50 - or close to that - were on the money. No way Takam should have been as big an underdog with the bookmakers as he was. Parker proves himself a legit top 10 heavyweight, considering Takam fought an relatively even fight with Povetkin prior to getting stopped late. That said, Parker's defense is quite poor for a top fighter - if Takam hit as hard as, say, Dillian Whyte, he probably would have been stopped with the number of flush punches he took. The good thing is, at 24, he's still young and will hopefully continue to improve.

[ebop]

if Takam hit as hard as, say, Dillian Whyte, he probably would have been stopped with the number of flush punches he took.

Parker hit Takem with a few flush punches of his own. Both fighters took some punishment.

[Boxing Writer]

I think this proves everyone (myself included) who called this fight 50:50 - or close to that - were on the money. No way Takam should have been as big an underdog with the bookmakers as he was. Parker proves himself a legit top 10 heavyweight, considering Takam fought an relatively even fight with Povetkin prior to getting stopped late. That said, Parker's defense is quite poor for a top fighter - if Takam hit as hard as, say, Dillian Whyte, he probably would have been stopped with the number of flush punches he took. The good thing is, at 24, he's still young and will hopefully continue to improve.

I agree with everything besides "relatively even" fight with Povetkin. I think Takam was winning that fight in the first 8 rounds. I had him winning 77:75 and three judges in Russia scored the fight 76:76 after the first 8 rounds.

[Tony1244]

Parker was starting to spoil me. Thought he'd win by stoppage.

[jezzamundo]

if Takam hit as hard as, say, Dillian Whyte, he probably would have been stopped with the number of flush punches he took.

Parker hit Takem with a few flush punches of his own. Both fighters took some punishment.

No disagreement there - Parker deserved to win, but Takam is a tough nut.

[jezzamundo]

I think this proves everyone (myself included) who called this fight 50:50 - or close to that - were on the money. No way Takam should have been as big an underdog with the bookmakers as he was. Parker proves himself a legit top 10 heavyweight, considering Takam fought an relatively even fight with Povetkin prior to getting stopped late. That said, Parker's defense is quite poor for a top fighter - if Takam hit as hard as, say, Dillian Whyte, he probably would have been stopped with the number of flush punches he took. The good thing is, at 24, he's still young and will hopefully continue to improve.

I agree with everything besides "relatively even" fight with Povetkin. I think Takam was winning that fight in the first 8 rounds. I had him winning 77:75 and three judges in Russia scored the fight 76:76 after the first 8 rounds.

5-3 and even scorecards isn't relatively even?

[handsofstone]

I think this proves everyone (myself included) who called this fight 50:50 - or close to that - were on the money. No way Takam should have been as big an underdog with the bookmakers as he was. Parker proves himself a legit top 10 heavyweight, considering Takam fought an relatively even fight with Povetkin prior to getting stopped late. That said, Parker's defense is quite poor for a top fighter - if Takam hit as hard as, say, Dillian Whyte, he probably would have been stopped with the number of flush punches he took. The good thing is, at 24, he's still young and will hopefully continue to improve.

I agree with everything besides "relatively even" fight with Povetkin. I think Takam was winning that fight in the first 8 rounds. I had him winning 77:75 and three judges in Russia scored the fight 76:76 after the first 8 rounds.

5-3 and even scorecards isn't relatively even?

[diddy]

Parker is too easy to hit. Don't like his chances against Joshua or Wilder down the line.

[jezzamundo]

Parker is too easy to hit. Don't like his chances against Joshua or Wilder down the line.

I like Parker, but have to agree with this. I think Parker is a better all-round boxer than Wilder, but Deontay would have to be favourite to KO him if they fought based on how leaky Parker's defense looks at this stage.

[diddy]

Takam too about half the rounds off. Close to it. When he punched, he landed.

[crusader]

I had Parker winning 116-113

His defense was the most apparent flaw coming into the bout and it proved to be the most pronounced flaw he showed during it; he'll need to tighten that up as he moves further up the levels and as he faces bigger punchers. JP's still very young for a HW (7 years younger than Wilder/4 younger than Fury/about 2.5 younger than AJ) and with time I expect him to get better. Takam also represented a massive step up in class, having been level with Povetkin going into the 9th, giving unbeaten Perez hell, and dominating Thompson, and Parker will probably take far more from this bout than he did from any of his others.

For now I'd put him on in the same grouping as fighters like Pulev and Jennings, but below the likes of Fury, Ortiz, Wilder, and AJ.

[Serragon]

I had it 114-114

Fun Fight!

[badkatt]

i had it 115 to 114 parker = it was closer then the judges had it

[foxdog1923]

Joseph Parker undoubtedly won the fight. Easy fight, close fight, Joseph won the fight.

[Stuarty]

I took Parker to win in 6. Bollux prediction. Parker won the fight And has went 12 (something AJ hasn't done). He found a second wind and looked decent. I still think AJ KOs him though.

[foxdog1923]

I took Parker to win in 6. Bollux prediction. Parker won the fight And has went 12 (something AJ hasn't done). He found a second wind and looked decent. I still think AJ KOs him though.

Yeah I thought it would be 6 round knockout. We didn't get that so were gutted but there's plenty of positives there as well.

[amwsnw]

I doubt Joshua stands up to some of those punches Parker landed. Hopefully this performance will give Joshua the confidence in giving him a shot. Don't understimate takam. I'd say he is far better than anyone Joshua has been in with.

[Stuarty]

I took Parker to win in 6. Bollux prediction. Parker won the fight And has went 12 (something AJ hasn't done). He found a second wind and looked decent. I still think AJ KOs him though.

Yeah I thought it would be 6 round knockout. We didn't get that so were gutted but there's plenty of positives there as well.

Definitely mate. The 12 rounds against a very tough opponent is a big positive to take from yesterday. I like Parker. He comes across very well. Likable guy

[fanman]

Looked like a very good fight. Will this make parker joshua's mandatory, surely it should? And is that fight too early for both fighter's careers?
Incidentally takam would surely also make a very good opponent for joshua or haye or any world level opponent needing a test.

[Ian1973]

I doubt Joshua stands up to some of those punches Parker landed. Hopefully this performance will give Joshua the confidence in giving him a shot. Don't understimate takam. I'd say he is far better than anyone Joshua has been in with.

He is much better than anyone Joshua has been in with. That was good experience for Parker, connections will be pleased with his progress. I thought he won the fight clearly.