Parker's handlers accuse Wlad of 'taking soft option' as chaos hits heavyweight title scene

[Like a Boss]

The gloves are off in this article :

Joseph Parker's handlers accuse Wladimir Klitschko of 'taking soft option' as chaos hits heavyweight title scene

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-spor ... itle-scene?

Wladimir Klitschko has put a spanner in the works of a proposed title fight with Anthony Joshua that has clouded an already murky heavyweight scene.

Klitschko's management have stalled in talks with Eddie Hearn who promotes IBF champion Anthony Joshua about a super fight in Manchester.

There are strong suggestions Klitschko will instead take on rugged Australian Lucas Browne in Germany, possibly with a WBA belt up for grabs.

There is major maneuvering going on to take advantage of the WBA and WBO belts vacated by troubled champion Tyson Fury.

Parker, as No 1 with the IBF and WBO, finds himself right in the middle of the mix but the road to the title keeps getting speed bumps added to it.

Duco Events bosses Dean Lonergan and David Higgins are continuing talks with American promoter Bob Arum about his fighter Andy Ruiz coming to New Zealand to contest a WBO belt.

They first have to have that cleared by the WBO at their annual conference in Puerto Rico which Lonegan will attend. He will have to fight off suggestions of a four-man box off for the belt.

Klitschko is No 2 in the WBO and there is the chance that Parker could fight the giant Ukrainian, though Lonergan doesn't see that happening. He has had no contact with Klitschko's management for several weeks.

There's also a chance that Hearn could call Parker's mandatory challenge and order him to fight Joshua on December 10 in Manchester.

Lonergan prefers to go down the Ruiz route for now, and couldn't resist a crack at Klitschko who has further clouded a murky scene.

"I can see the Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko fight falling over for a variety of reasons and Klitschko is going to take the soft option of fighting in Hamburg against Lucas Browne," Lonergan said.

"That just goes to show that Klitschko is past it and shot. He had the opportunity to make a massive comeback and massive statement against one of the young Lions of the division in Anthony Joshua.

"If he passes on that fight, he also has the opportunity to take on the other young lion of the division in Joseph Parker. But he's not ... he's taking the softest option possible and I think it's a disgrace that they couldn't finish that (Joshua) deal for the sake of boxing and his own credibility."

Lonergan suggested "club fighter" Browne was capable of knocking out Klitschko if the former champ fronted with a similar effort to when he lost to Fury in a huge upset last November.

Lonergan said he and Higgins had a "very good" meeting with Arum on Tuesday. Higgins would continue those discussions while Lonergan attended the WBO conference.

But everything pointed to Arum agreeing to a December 10 date in Auckland – dependent on the WBO title being up for grabs.

"I can't speak for Bob Arum, but his opinion is if Andy Ruiz is going to fight Joseph Parker it should be for the WBO world title. And if Klitschko doesn't have the balls to stand up and fight Joe, why shouldn't we fight for the world title?" Lonergan said.

Lonergan admitted there was also a possible option of fighting Joshua as the mandatory, a reflection of Parker's strong position in this mess.

"We could potentially be up for discussion on that. But the opportunity to make history with a world title fight in New Zealand is just to great an opportunity to pass up.

"If we take a long-term view, we'd much rather have a negotiation and a fight with Anthony Joshua when we are unifying two titles as opposed to us going to fight for one as a mandatory. It's going to be a better deal for Joseph Parker and Duco, and a much bigger fight.

"But the biggest hurdle to all of this happening is for the WBO to allow us to fight Andy Ruiz.

"If that happens, December 10 is looking likely to be a massive day in boxing. Potentially it is going to have Parker v Ruiz in New Zealand, Anthony Joshua v either David Price or Kubrat Pulev in Manchester, and Klitschko v Browne in Hamburg."

Hearn said the next 48 hours would be crucial to determining whether a last-minute deal could be stitched together with Klitschko but admitted it was time to look at other options.

Hearn suggested the uncertainty over the WBA being up for grabs in Manchester was the reason behind Klitschko's reluctance to fight Joshua.

[Horse]

So why didn't Parker fight Joshua?

[Killer Blow]

Great article. I totally agree.

[crusader]

What a pile of crap.

It's a disgrace to Wlad's reputation and credibility that at almost 41 he didn't fight Joshua? What does that say about the credibility of Parker and AJ? AJ doesn't leave home at all and just beats up on mediocre, big-breasted opponents, while Parker scraped by Takam and hasn't touched anyone close to the top ten since. Browne may well be a better opponent than Andy Ruiz anyway.

[Like a Boss]

So why didn't Parker fight Joshua?

Because Hearn initially wanted Parker on Joshua's undercard with a view for Joshua to fight him next.

Since then it has turned into a dog's breakfast of a mess.

[Like a Boss]

Great article. I totally agree.

The reality is everyone is pushing their own barrow and looking after their own interests. But I can appreciate Duco's frustration - Parker is Joshua's mandatory for the IBF title - and Eddie Hearn has f...ed them around for months.

As for Wlad, Fury has absolutely f...ed him around for months too, and he wants a title bad, but not necessarily Joshua's.

[greg]

..I find the whole situation pretty much confusing...I don't want to see Klitschko v Browne, Joshua v Price or any other similar bs fights...still waiting for an official statement coming from Klitschko camp..

[Like a Boss]

..I find the whole situation pretty much confusing...I don't want to see Klitschko v Browne, Joshua v Price or any other similar bs fights...still waiting for an official statement coming from Klitschko camp..

It all seems to hinge on whether the WBA sanction Joshua vs Wlad for their title.

[tiny_acres]

..I find the whole situation pretty much confusing...I don't want to see Klitschko v Browne, Joshua v Price or any other similar bs fights...still waiting for an official statement coming from Klitschko camp..

It all seems to hinge on whether the WBA sanction Joshua vs Wlad for their title.

Has a reigning champ of another organization ever got to fight for another organizations vacant title?
I think this is unprecedented

[lefty]

What a pile of crap.

It's a disgrace to Wlad's reputation and credibility that at almost 41 he didn't fight Joshua? What does that say about the credibility of Parker and AJ? AJ doesn't leave home at all and just beats up on mediocre, big-breasted opponents, while Parker scraped by Takam and hasn't touched anyone close to the top ten since. Browne may well be a better opponent than Andy Ruiz anyway.

I know I've been critical of Parker on here but didn't you find it hypocritical and pretty laughable how the guy was shitting on Klitschko for doing what they're basically doing by going down the WBO route instead of fighting Joshua as the IBF mandatory? Haha. He's criticising Wlad for doing exactly the same thing he's doing with Parker lol.

[crusader]

Yep, JP's side is being silly with these statements.

[Tarkus]

"I can see the Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko fight falling over for a variety of reasons and Klitschko is going to take the soft option of fighting in Hamburg against Lucas Browne," Lonergan said.

"That just goes to show that Klitschko is past it and shot. He had the opportunity to make a massive comeback and massive statement against one of the young Lions of the division in Anthony Joshua.

Ok then what conclusion should we draw from Parker not pursuing Joshua even though he could have demanded it, he is the mandatory. And instead going for the WBO title against, speaking of "soft" opponent a fat Mexican bum. Perhaps Parker is a pussy who who want an easy belt rather then making his name against another young lion. Pathetic mate.

Klitschko is going for WBA because he wants to regain all his belts. He can easily fight Joshua for the unification next year. Wheres it he doesnt go for WBA option now it will be harder to get it after Browne or some other clown gets hold of it and starts putting up obstacles. And yes Browne is easier then Joshua, but Ruiz is easier then Browne.

[Freedom2013]

Joseph Parker ducked Joshua to fight a really soft opponent, a short fat man named Andy Ruiz.

I think the current older slower version of Wlad would still be able to beat Parker, although not Joshua.

[Killer Blow]

Joseph Parker ducked Joshua to fight a really soft opponent, a short fat man named Andy Ruiz.

I think the current older slower version of Wlad would still be able to beat Parker, although not Joshua.

I think Parker is harder for him stylistically than Joshua actually.

[BIGDOUG58]

Lets sought this out once and for all.
JOSHUA Vs. PULEV
KLITCHKO Vs. BROWNE
PARKER Vs. RUIZ
WILDER Vs. OQUENDO
All around the end of the year or very early next year.
And in April the Winners are matched.
( Joshua.Klitchko.Parker.Wilder.)
and some time in August /September.
THE UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP.
JOSHUA VS.PARKER.

[Boxing Prospect]

Oh look...Wladimir lost his belts and the division did suddenly become exciting afterall

[the_doctor]

Lets sought this out once and for all.
JOSHUA Vs. PULEV
KLITCHKO Vs. BROWNE
PARKER Vs. RUIZ
WILDER Vs. OQUENDO
All around the end of the year or very early next year.
And in April the Winners are matched.
( Joshua.Klitchko.Parker.Wilder.)
and some time in August /September.
THE UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP.
JOSHUA VS.PARKER.

It was all going well until...

OQUENDO

These tournament things very rarely work out, with injuries, postponements, TV companies squabbling, promoters squabbling, the various governing bodies faffing on. In principle, it's a great suggestion, in practice it would be a nightmare

[Killer Blow]

Lets sought this out once and for all.
JOSHUA Vs. PULEV
KLITCHKO Vs. BROWNE
PARKER Vs. RUIZ
WILDER Vs. OQUENDO
All around the end of the year or very early next year.
And in April the Winners are matched.
( Joshua.Klitchko.Parker.Wilder.)
and some time in August /September.
THE UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP.
JOSHUA VS.PARKER.

No no, this is how we sort it:

Wilder vs Povetkin
Klitschko vs Ortiz
AJ vs Pulev
Parker vs Ruiz

Then we'll see who the undisputed champ is. Haye and Browne can fight for the mandatory spot for the undisputed champ.

[BitPlayer]

So why didn't Parker fight Joshua?

Because Hearn initially wanted Parker on Joshua's undercard with a view for Joshua to fight him next.

Since then it has turned into a dog's breakfast of a mess.

Parker doesn't have to do anything to get a shot, just enforce his manditory.

[lefty]

Oh look...Wladimir lost his belts and the division did suddenly become exciting afterall

I don't know if you're being sarcastic or nor so apologies if you are; has it really become exciting or has it just become a farce with a bunch of not overly appealing matches on the horizon?

[Boxing Prospect]

Oh look...Wladimir lost his belts and the division did suddenly become exciting afterall

I don't know if you're being sarcastic or nor so apologies if you are; has it really become exciting or has it just become a farce with a bunch of not overly appealing matches on the horizon?

Sarcasm, it's become a political shit fest since Fury won. We've already had potentially good bouts that COULD have been made, even when Wlad was on top we had interesting bouts that could have been made...now it's just a complete cluster fornicate of a mess

[lefty]

Can't argue with that

[Like a Boss]

So why didn't Parker fight Joshua?

Because Hearn initially wanted Parker on Joshua's undercard with a view for Joshua to fight him next.

Since then it has turned into a dog's breakfast of a mess.

Parker doesn't have to do anything to get a shot, just enforce his manditory.

The mandatory fight deadline was meant to be January 9th. Hearn soon saw to it that was never going to happen, and that was well before Ruiz's name came into the mix.

[Grailer]

What a pile of crap.

It's a disgrace to Wlad's reputation and credibility that at almost 41 he didn't fight Joshua? What does that say about the credibility of Parker and AJ? AJ doesn't leave home at all and just beats up on mediocre, big-breasted opponents, while Parker scraped by Takam and hasn't touched anyone close to the top ten since. Browne may well be a better opponent than Andy Ruiz anyway.

I know I've been critical of Parker on here but didn't you find it hypocritical and pretty laughable how the guy was shitting on Klitschko for doing what they're basically doing by going down the WBO route instead of fighting Joshua as the IBF mandatory? Haha. He's criticising Wlad for doing exactly the same thing he's doing with Parker lol.

But Parker WANTED to fight Joshua but how do you fight Joshua if he is fighting Klitschko? ( Now that fight fell through )

Do you think Parker should have to wait around for Joshua?

Instead he (Parker) choose to stay busy and has had 2 fights since becoming mandatory #1

Now hes having 3rd fight because Joshua is scared of Parker
and that 3rd fight is against Ruiz for WBO title.

Everyone is scared of Parker except Ruiz.

even Klitschko who is ranked #2 WBO is scared to fight Parker

I don't blame them for ducking Parker , he is the biggest threat in boxing right now and at 24yo he will get stronger and better


"I can't speak for Bob Arum, but his opinion is if Andy Ruiz is going to fight Joseph Parker it should be for the WBO world title. And if Klitschko doesn't have the balls to stand up and fight Joe, why shouldn't we fight for the world title?" Lonergan said.

[Like a Boss]

Oh look...Wladimir lost his belts and the division did suddenly become exciting afterall

(it will be when they get some of these fights being discussed actually made anyway)