Joseph Parker is set to challenge Anthony Joshua on November 26

[Grailer]

Parker needs to avoid AJ and vice versa .

Not because Parker would lose because I think he will win but because there is more money to be made if they fight in another few years to reunite the titles .

[Ruthless-RKO]

Parker needs to avoid AJ and vice versa .

Not because Parker would lose because I think he will win but because there is more money to be made if they fight in another few years to reunite the titles .

He is a mandatory, so he's already climbed the ranks. If he wins the WBO title. then yes, a few years and maybe one of them can gather another world title.

[crusader]

I've seen talker of Parker-Ruiz for the WBO and that is the way to go for JP if he can. Parker should win handily (at this point I think he'd be KO'd by AJ) and it should significantly boost his financial position for other fights. He's also still pretty inexperienced (He's just 24 and Takam was a huge step up, which some people like to ignore) and I think he'd benefit from bouts with some of the other guys in the WBO top 15 before taking on beasts like AJ.

[Grailer]

Best for AJ as well since Parker is high risk but Ruiz is tough too and will be good fight like Takam vs Parker

[gilgamesh]

Best for AJ as well since Parker is high risk but Ruiz is tough too and will be good fight like Takam vs Parker

I'd take Carlos Takam to beat fatass Ruiz.

[crusader]

Best for AJ as well since Parker is high risk but Ruiz is tough too and will be good fight like Takam vs Parker

I'd take Carlos Takam to beat fatass Ruiz.

Absolutely

[asdfjkl]

Parker needs to avoid AJ and vice versa .

Not because Parker would lose because I think he will win but because there is more money to be made if they fight in another few years to reunite the titles .

I'd like to see Parker Wilder actually.

[Kalan]

[quote="Ruthless-RKO"]Is this clever? Parker has been fighting a lot recently anyway, but 50+ days after his next fight, to challenge for the World title? would he want more time?

NO... Dimitrenko will be less risky or strenuous for Parker than a brisk sparring session with 4 opponents as good as Dimitrenko. Dimi hasn't fought a name boxer since Pulev knocked him out well over 4 years ago. If he were any good he'd have fought decent Heavyweights and stayed a lot busier. Fighting 6 unknown schlumps in 53 months is not a sign you have any interest in your "career." Not that I expect Parker to look good against him. JP doesn't have the boxing skills to look good against anybody. But he should club the Russian out with little effort -- after tasting a few uncoordinated swings himself.

[Like a Boss]

With the WBA joining the WBO in giving Tyson Fury 10 days to give cause why he shouldn't be stripped, any number of matchups are now possible.

Even if Fury never fights again he will be remembered as the guy who broke Wlad's strangle hold on the belts and opened the division up again.

[lefty]

I've seen talker of Parker-Ruiz for the WBO and that is the way to go for JP if he can. Parker should win handily (at this point I think he'd be KO'd by AJ) and it should significantly boost his financial position for other fights. He's also still pretty inexperienced (He's just 24 and Takam was a huge step up, which some people like to ignore) and I think he'd benefit from bouts with some of the other guys in the WBO top 15 before taking on beasts like AJ.

Isn't Joshua inexperienced aswell though to be fair?

[crusader]

Yes, but I think the issues Parker needs to work on (like defense---getting the hands up better and not standing so upright) are ones that would spell serious trouble for him against AJ now due to the latter's power. If Parker can close some of those openings, I think it would serve him well against AJ (and the other big hitters, who are older and deeper into their careers than these two) even if the latter gains experience himself.

[lefty]

Yes, but I think the issues Parker needs to work on (like defense---getting the hands up better and not standing so upright) are ones that would spell serious trouble for him against AJ now due to the latter's power. If Parker can close some of those openings, I think it would serve him well against AJ (and the other big hitters, who are older and deeper into their careers than these two) even if the latter gains experience himself.

That's fair enough. I was just talking from the perspective of Parker having been boxing from around 15 to my knowledge and was competing internationally in youth tournaments when he was 16. Joshua hadnt even started boxing until he was 18/19.

[Like a Boss]

Klitchko is probably fighting Joshua Nov 26

According to the IBF Chairman they haven't even heard from Eddie Hearn regarding Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko :

“First of all, we have not heard from Eddie Hearn regarding Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko” - IBF Chairman Lindsey Tucker.

http://www.worldboxingnews.net/2016/09/ ... ko-request?

[crusader]

Yes, but I think the issues Parker needs to work on (like defense---getting the hands up better and not standing so upright) are ones that would spell serious trouble for him against AJ now due to the latter's power. If Parker can close some of those openings, I think it would serve him well against AJ (and the other big hitters, who are older and deeper into their careers than these two) even if the latter gains experience himself.

That's fair enough. I was just talking from the perspective of Parker having been boxing from around 15 to my knowledge and was competing internationally in youth tournaments when he was 16. Joshua hadnt even started boxing until he was 18/19.

Joshua also benefited from an extremely well-funded and developed amateur program (especially with it being the London Olympics), whereas Parker didn't have the same luxury in New Zealand. Regardless, I definitely think Parker could use more seasoning before taking on the big guns, wether it's AJ, Wilder, Ortiz, Wlad, or Povetkin. Apart from Takam he hasn't really been in with anyone notable (which makes it laughable for some people to judge him so harshly on that fight), and at 24 I'd expect him to have plenty of room for improvement.

[lefty]

Fair point. I do think it's a talent thing aswell though however.

[crusader]

Could be, but don't forget about the earlier fights of other HWs.

-Fury was dropped by Pajic and many thought McDermott beat him
-Wlad was stopped by Purrity
-Wilder was heavily dropped by a journeyman
-Povetkin struggled with Firtha (and just a few bouts ago was level going into the 9th against Takam)
-Haye was knocked out by shopworn Carl Thompson, heavily dropped by Mock, and given a tough fight by Fragomeni
-Stiverne was stopped by a journeyman and drew with another journeyman
-Chisora went to war with Sam Sexton
-Szpilka (who caused Wilder problems) went life and death with Mike Mollo
-Jennings barely got by Maurice Byarm and was dropped by Parker-victim Tupou
-Teper won a split decision over a guy now ranked #205
-Molina was stopped in the first by some nobody (I'm not referring to the Arreola loss)
-Charles Martin drew with a 6 foot tall, 300+ pound guy with a 6-12-6 record

The list goes on with fighters who made significant improvements. Parker's ceiling probably isn't as high as Joshua's, but at 24 he shouldn't be written off as a fighter who, with the right experience, can get better and stick around near the top of the division.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is this clever? Parker has been fighting a lot recently anyway, but 50+ days after his next fight, to challenge for the World title? would he want more time?

NO... Dimitrenko will be less risky or strenuous for Parker than a brisk sparring session with 4 opponents as good as Dimitrenko. Dimi hasn't fought a name boxer since Pulev knocked him out well over 4 years ago. If he were any good he'd have fought decent Heavyweights and stayed a lot busier. Fighting 6 unknown schlumps in 53 months is not a sign you have any interest in your "career." Not that I expect Parker to look good against him. JP doesn't have the boxing skills to look good against anybody. But he should club the Russian out with little effort -- after tasting a few uncoordinated swings himself.

That's not my quote

[Heretic]

Parker is high risk low reward. Too unknown. I will be surprised if this fight happens.

Parker will need to get couple of known names on his list before the shot at one of the paper titles.

Takam is more known than anyone AJ has fought. Dmitrenko is also a decent name in the division. They might not be household names, but definately more risky opponents. I rate Parker for that, he knows he's mandatory yet takes on opponents that could potentially upset him.

Takam is good win. But Parker pretty much went life and death with him. There were few rounds where he was in trouble. Most of the rounds that Parker won was because Takam was bit too passive and just didn't do enough to win those rounds. So Parker did win more rounds. It was pretty close fight anyways.

Takam also had draw against Perez and got KTFO by Povetkin so hes not one of the best ones out there.

I think Joshua would be to much for Parker at this moment. Parker has still some work to do before he is ready for the top level.

I do think that Parker has what it takes to be champ someday. At least on paper.

[crusader]

Takam was even with peak Povetkin going into the 9th round, routed Thompson, and was beating up Perez for much of their fight, only to pay for a slow start in a 10 round contest (even then I think the judges were quite generous in giving Perez a draw).

Parker has work to do, particularly on defense, but I think it's impressive that he stepped up so many levels and came through in a tough fight against a durable veteran like Takam. A lot of today's top HWs, including Wlad, Fury, and Wilder had significant problems with much worse opponents but made great improvements, and I while I'm not sure if he'll ever be as good as AJ I think Parker is capable of getting much better too.

I posted this list before, but I think people should keep it in mind when they think about what Parker's fight with Takam (again, a huge step up) says about his prospects:

-Fury was dropped by Pajkic and many thought McDermott beat him
-Wlad was stopped by Purrity and dropped by Steve Pannell
-Wilder was heavily dropped by a journeyman
-Povetkin struggled with Firtha (and just a few bouts ago was level going into the 9th against Takam)
-Haye was knocked out by shopworn Carl Thompson, heavily dropped by Mock, and given a tough fight by Fragomeni
-Stiverne was stopped by a journeyman and drew with another journeyman
-Chisora went to war with Sam Sexton
-Szpilka (who caused Wilder problems) was dropped three times by Mike Mollo
-Jennings barely got by Maurice Byarm and was dropped by Parker-victim Tupou
-Teper won a split decision over a guy now ranked #205
-Molina was stopped in the first by some nobody (I'm not referring to the Arreola loss)
-Charles Martin drew with a 6 foot tall, 300+ pound guy with a 6-12-6 record

Considering this, it seems very odd to me that some people (not referring to anyone in particular) think Parker having issues with Takam is evidence of him being a hypejob.

[Heretic]

I dont think that Parker is hype job. Takam was very good and deserved victory for him.

In my mind the trouble he had with Takam shows he is not yet ready for the championship fights. He still has time to improve.

I think that Parker is not yet that known by the casual fans and so is still high risk low reward for the likes of Joshua.

[Wales]

Parker needs to avoid AJ and vice versa .

Not because Parker would lose because I think he will win but because there is more money to be made if they fight in another few years to reunite the titles .

Everything wrong with boxing right there. Why wait a few years, remember manny Floyd doing that? What about what fans need. Fighters need to start fighting the best and forcing the hand of their promoters to make it happen.

As fans we need to stop obsessing over fighters keeping their 0.

Should a 22 year old Ali have fought Liston? Gone into lions den a 7-1 underdog?

[Grailer]

I dont think that Parker is hype job. Takam was very good and deserved victory for him.

In my mind the trouble he had with Takam shows he is not yet ready for the championship fights. He still has time to improve.

I think that Parker is not yet that known by the casual fans and so is still high risk low reward for the likes of Joshua.

Lol not ready for championship fights? Are you are being absurd? Everyone who has fought Takam has had trouble with him.

If Takam beat Parker would you
be saying that the 35 year old Takam isn't ready for championship fight because of the trouble he had with Parker.

Totally absurd!!

[crusader]

Yes, but I think the issues Parker needs to work on (like defense---getting the hands up better and not standing so upright) are ones that would spell serious trouble for him against AJ now due to the latter's power. If Parker can close some of those openings, I think it would serve him well against AJ (and the other big hitters, who are older and deeper into their careers than these two) even if the latter gains experience himself.

That's fair enough. I was just talking from the perspective of Parker having been boxing from around 15 to my knowledge and was competing internationally in youth tournaments when he was 16. Joshua hadnt even started boxing until he was 18/19.

Just to follow up on this again, it seems like Parker actually had fewer amateur bouts than AJ (and Wilder) despite an earlier start to the sport. I imagine that he would've had significantly more fights had he been in the UK like Joshua, rather than in a tiny country like NZ that isn't very strong in the sport.

[Like a Boss]

I am taking most of what we are currently hearing in the heavyweight division with a grain of salt.

The mass confusion is of course being led by Eddie Hearn, who is dropping names like confetti and setting and resetting his own decision deadlines. Almost everything else seems to be hinging on what he finally decides to do next with Anthony Jushua.

The reality is most of what we are hearing can't possibly happen because it is contradictory to everything else, and only time will tell what will actually happen.

[Grailer]

Takam was ahead on cards vs Povetkin , then Povetkin got a miracle burst of energy in the later on and won.

Ironically Povetkin was found out to be using PED which increases energy ...So not a miracle after all but cheating!

So maybe without his 'miracle' energy burst he doesnt knock
Takam out..who knows?

Now if Parker beat Takam and Parker is still improving
How would Parker fare against Potvetkin in a year or 2?

My money is on Parker .

And how does Parker fare against Klitschko in 2-3 years time when Klitschko is 43yo?

If he wins both those fights he is ranked in top 3 .All he has to do is beat Joshua and Ortiz ( who is getting old ) oh I forgot about Wilder but hes just a pretty average journeyman.

In 5 years I predict Parker will be #1 undisputed HW Champion of the world with no competition , and like Joe Louis he will have bum of the month fights