Joseph Parker believes he can avoid Deontay Wilder’s power on the way to a victory in Saudi Arabia next month which will allow him to climb back up the heavyweight division.
Parker has seen Wilder’s destructiveness first hand – he’s been ringside for several of the American’s 42 knockouts in 43 professional victories.
The father of four girls has also heard the stories and worries from those close to him.
For him the risk is worth it, however. Not only will this be his biggest payday after his world title defeat to Anthony Joshua in Cardiff in 2018, a fight which set a new record for pay per view buys in Europe, it could also set up a re-match against the Englishman who took his WBO belt.
The American has only fought once in the past two years but boasts 42 knockouts in 43 victories. (Source: 1News)
Joshua will fight Swede Otto Wallin in the co-main event on one of the best boxing cards in years, a line-up funded, it should be said, by an oil-rich Saudi government increasingly turning to sports as a means of promotion.
“I want to fight the best out there and I feel when I fight the best it does bring my game up,” Parker told reporters, including 1News, after this morning’s press conference which confirmed what will be a huge event in Riyadh on December 23.
“I am excited for this fight. I don’t fear anything, I don’t fear any man. I’m in the sport to fight the biggest fights.
“I know a lot of people are worried about his right hand and that he’s dangerous from round one to round 12 but I’m up for the challenge and I know what I can do.”
It’s clear that Parker’s strategy will be based around movement and presenting a difficult target.
Asked whether he was afraid of being stopped by Wilder, Parker replied: "Hell, no. How? He can’t catch me.”
His footwork is among the best in the heavyweight division and while he was hit far too easily in his last defeat – a knockout against Joe Joyce in Manchester last year - he went into the fight with an illness which caused him to fatigue from the second round.
Parker received a backhanded compliment at this morning’s press conference in London from outspoken American heavyweight Jarrell Miller, a man on a mission to wind up his British opponent Daniel Dubois, who said: “He was scared of fighting Joseph Parker. I heard Joseph Parker moved too much for him and he didn’t want to chase him around.”
1News has learned that Dubois was indeed in the mix for this event – Parker himself said today that his opponents changed three times before Wilder was confirmed.
However, Parker will also have to pressure Wilder and make his opponent respect his own right hand.
Tyson Fury, the only man to beat Wilder, showed that one way to do so is to take away Wilder’s space and force him to fight on the back foot, a tactic which can nullify the leverage the American can get on his right hand.
Parker will train closely with Fury, a man with his own big fight ahead when he takes on Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed world heavyweight championship in Riyadh in February.
Parker appeared confident and determined this morning, telling former opponent Derek Chisora who was chipping him from the crowd, to “shut your mouth”.
Wilder, who has fought only once in the last two years, appeared subdued and reflective and he spoke about his destructive power being both a “blessing and a curse”.
Parker also had time for a chat with fellow Kiwi heavyweight Junior Fa, who is fighting undefeated Cuban Frank Sanchez on the card.
“I said, ‘nice to see you here’,” Parker said. “I asked where he was going to be training and he said he was going to spar with Deontay. I said 'don’t give him your best work'.”
“The Day of Reckoning”, Riyadh, December 23
Heavyweight: Anthony Joshua v Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker (NZL) v Deontay Wilder co-main event
Light heavyweight: Dmitry Bivol v Lyndon Arthur
Cruiserweight: Jai Opetaia v Ellis Zorro
Heavyweight: Daniel Dubois v Jarrell Miller
Heavyweight: Arselanbek Makhmudov v Agit Kabayel
Heavyweight: Frank Sanchez v Junior Fa (NZL)
Heavyweight: Filip Hrgovic v Mark Di Mori
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