Joshua vs Parker: One Step Closer
In one week, in Cardiff, Wales, a major battle goes down between two of the three belt-holders in the heavyweight division, a fight that brings us one big step forward in the quest for a single ruler of the big man division. With wins over Carlos Takam, Alexander Dimitrenko, Andy Ruiz Jr., and Hughie Fury, Joseph Parker may be the lesser-known pugilist when he takes on Anthony Joshua, but he’s a legit force and he owns the WBO belt and, well, you know, anything can happen in a heavyweight fight. Right? Okay, okay, let’s dispense with the bullshit. The man from New Zealand looked like rancid dog-crap against Fury and many, if not most, thought the split decision in his favour stunk to high heaven.
But, there’s no getting around the fact that the WBO strap is his. And there’s always the chance that a better, more active, more dangerous version of Parker shows up in Wales next Saturday. Yes, Joshua should win. He likely will win. But, as the old saying goes, God didn’t make chins to be hit. And Parker’s right hand, when he throws it with conviction, carries some legit dynamite. Is there a chance for a huge upset here? Of course there is. Though, admittedly, it remains as slim as Parker’s last marmite and chip sandwich.
But the real intrigue of this match is what comes next. Assuming Joshua dispatches the Kiwi in dominant fashion, this will only further whet appetites for a Joshua vs Deontay Wilder showdown. And whether that match happens in America or in the Land of Hope and Glory, it will be a truly huge event, a legit heavyweight superfight the likes of which we haven’t seen in quite some time. Yes, Joshua vs Klitschko was big, but this is much bigger. Seriously, this would be the most compelling big man clash since Lennox Lewis demolished Mike Tyson way back in 2002.
But then you have to factor in the return of “The Gypsy King.” Tyson Fury will soon be finalizing plans for his first comeback bout after a hiatus of more than two years and when that happens you can bet the farm that he will be braying for all to hear that the true heavyweight king is “the man who beat the man” and no one else. Like it or not, Fury is the lineal champ, and the logical opponent either for Joshua in the short-term in an all-UK superfight that would be worth millions of pounds sterling or, long-term, the winner of AJ vs The Bronze Bomber.
Bottom line: Joshua vs Parker is a heavyweight match with huge implications for the sport as it brings us one step closer to a single heavyweight ruler who owns all the belts and all the glory. And it’s going down next week. So let our friends at Boxcaster get you ready. Check it out:
