In recent times the boxing world has targeted on just a few, high-profile heavyweight fighters. Large cash bouts between Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua have dominated the entrance pages, whereas others have competed on the undercards.
Among the many many boxers quietly going about their enterprise is Joseph Parker. The person from New Zealand overcame early setbacks in his profession, together with defeats to Joshua and Dillian Whyte, to change into the world champion. For now, he holds that WBO title on an interim foundation, however there’s each motive to consider that Parker is the actual deal.
Rising Champion
Having beforehand held the WBO heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018, many believed that Joseph Parker’s days on the prime had been over. Whereas Usyk, Fury, Wilder and Joshua did all of the speaking, the Kiwi stayed within the background and he was solely often talked about as a possible title contender.
Parker received his likelihood for redemption in October 2023 when he took on Simon Kean for the vacant WBO and IBF heavyweight titles. Going into the combat in Riyadh, boxing betting markets listed him because the overwhelming favorite, and he duly claimed the win through a 3rd spherical knockout.
Kean is a reliable fighter, however he isn’t in Parker’s class. The Kiwi had reclaimed his title, however more durable challenges had been across the nook.
Rising to the Problem
Parker had little time to arrange for his first title defence. Lower than three months after defeating Simon Kean, the Kiwi headed again to Riyadh to tackle the formidable Deontay Wilder. Whereas his opponent was reaching the tip of his profession, he remained a severe menace, and Wilder headed into the competition with a powerful document of 42 wins, three defeats and one draw.
Forward of time, the battle a fair one however, from the primary bell, the American appeared subdued. Parker took full benefit of his opponent’s techniques, outboxing Wilder all through. Whereas the combat went the space, the consequence was by no means unsure, and Joseph Parker sailed by way of through a unanimous determination.
Following the standard spherical of name outs and negotiations, Parker was ultimately lined as much as defend his titles in opposition to the Chinese language fighter Zhilei Zhang. His opponent went into the combat because the defending WBO champion and, on paper, it promised one other tight contest.
On the veteran levels of his profession, Zhang appeared gradual, however what he lacked in velocity he made up for in energy. Parker was knocked right down to the canvas twice, however recovered to win the combat through a cut up determination. Whereas more durable challenges might await, the calibre of Joseph Parker’s earlier opponents recommend he’s already the actual deal.
Subsequent Up
Like several world champion, Joseph Parker is consistently quizzed on the id of his subsequent opponent. At the start of March 2025, the sporting media was suggesting {that a} showdown between the Kiwi and Oleksandr Usyk was on the playing cards. Later within the month, nonetheless, Parker said that he was not sure as to who would face him subsequent.
Much more lately, the Daniel Dubois camp confirmed that they had been now not pursuing a bout with Usyk. In keeping with these reviews, the British fighter’s desire was to tackle Joseph Parker after a showdown with Usyk appeared unlikely.
Dubois is the present IBF world champion, and a unification combat would make sense. It will additionally present closure after a scheduled bout between the 2 males needed to be cancelled. Dubois v Parker had been set for early 2025, however the IBF champion needed to withdraw on account of sickness. Parker simply overcame the alternative, Martin Bakole, and has subsequently known as out Dubois.
Due Respect
Joseph Parker has risen by way of the ranks to change into a heavyweight champion as soon as once more. In retaining his title, he has fought off powerful opponents within the form of Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, however it might be honest to say that he doesn’t all the time get the respect he deserves.
Like all heavyweight fighters competing at the moment, a combat with Oleksandr Usyk is seen as the last word take a look at. The Ukrainian stays undefeated in 23 skilled fights, however is hard to tie right down to confirmed contests within the current local weather. There are additionally recommendations that he might drop again to his former cruiserweight degree.
Parker can also endure as a result of, not like a few of his contemporaries, he tends to remain out of the limelight. Boxers corresponding to Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder loved a better media presence, whereas the person from New Zealand prefers to do his speaking contained in the ring.
All of this can be a disgrace as a result of Parker is the actual deal. He’s taken on prime fighters throughout his profession and has totally deserved his world championship titles. A win over Oleksandr Usyk might earn him better international recognition, however Joseph Parker has already executed sufficient to go down as considered one of boxing’s best ever heavyweights.
