Joseph Parker

[diehard]

Thanks NakiFan. They don't know any more than we do, but we'll find out first tomorrow. Good read.

[NakiFan]

Here is the news a little early... (direct from Duco Events Facebook page posted 26 mins ago)

EXCLUSIVE: JOSEPH PARKER'S NEXT TWO OPPONENTS NAMED
Joseph Parker’s Road to the Heavyweight Boxing Title over the next couple of months has become a lot clearer with promoter Duco Events taking the unprecedented step of naming his next two opponents.
The 23 year old boxing sensation will encounter 6’8” American, Daniel “The Mountain” Martz at the Burger King Fight for Life in Hamilton on December 5 before focusing on rugged American southpaw, Jason Bergman at the Rumble in Paradise in Samoa on January 23.
Martz will be the tallest opponent Parker has ever faced while the Bergman fight will be his first professional bout against a left-hander.
Both fights promise to be fascinating acid tests for the kiwi-born Samoan with Martz having a proven reputation as ‘a mauler and a brawler.’
In the case of Bergman, Parker has not fought a southpaw since his amateur days and freely admits he “didn’t have a clue.”
“With Joseph having captured the public’s imagination, we realise there is now tremendous interest and scrutiny in how we pick opponents,” said Duco Director, David Higgins.
“So the message the fans can take from this announcement is that we are serious about readying him for a world title shot.
“Even though Joseph is 6’4” he is shorter than the biggest names in the heavyweight division like Wladimir Klitschko (6’6”); Deontay Wilder (6’7”) and Tyson Fury (6’9”).
Mr Higgins says the plan has never been to just get a world title shot.
“We want Joseph to capture the world title and that means we must get him accustomed to fighting opponents much bigger than himself, he said.”
Trainer Kevin Barry says a similar rational is behind the selection of Bergman, Parker’s ‘Rumble in Paradise’ opponent in Samoa.
“There are a number of quality southpaws in the heavyweight division, the most obvious being 6’1” WBA champion, Ruslan Chagaev,” said Barry.
“Joe is currently ranked 13th by the WBA and rising fast so Chagaev is most definitely in our sights.
“When that opportunity presents itself we must be ready.”
31 year old Bergman is undoubtedly a tough opponent with 16 wins from of his last 18 bouts over the last five years.
The immediate focus though, is Martz with 11 of his 14 wins coming by way of knockout.
At just 24 years old, Martz is also the youngest opponent Parker will have ever faced.
Parker will be the seventh undefeated opponent the giant American has fought in a three year, 17-fight professional career.
To put that in perspective, pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather only fought three undefeated opponents in a glittering 18-year, 49-fight career.

[cranky]

nice one NakiFan..

[mippy]

Definately a step down in terms of quality. Good that Joseph will be facing different types of opponents. But does anyone really expect these guys to challenge Parker?

[mippy]

Bowie Tupou ko’d Bergman in 2 back in 2007.

[NakiFan]

Here is Martz loss 3 fights ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-nAjsIPdVk 7min mark is the action. An absolute flush left handed hook from a big fatty southpaw.

Interesting to hear in the commentary that Daniel Martz had no amateur background experience.

I like how they talked up the 6 other opponents that were undefeated- "At just 24 years old, Martz is also the youngest opponent Parker will have ever faced.
Parker will be the seventh undefeated opponent the giant American has fought in a three year, 17-fight professional career.
To put that in perspective, pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather only fought three undefeated opponents in a glittering 18-year, 49-fight career."

Joe Cusumano 2 0 0
Jon Hill 2 0 0
James Shorter 3 0 0
John L Smith 13 0 0 (lost to J bergman 1round KO)
Joshua Tufte 11 0 0 (Martz lost this fight SD 10 rounds)
Alexis Santos 13 0 0

[tm7]

(10-30-2015, 11:32 PM)tm7 Wrote: My picks are: Dec 5 Daniel Martz. Jan 23 Jason Bergman.

I am very much bragging about this!

[cranky]

(11-09-2015, 11:10 PM)NakiFan Wrote: I like how they talked up the 6 other opponents that were undefeated- "At just 24 years old, Martz is also the youngest opponent Parker will have ever faced.
Parker will be the seventh undefeated opponent the giant American has fought in a three year, 17-fight professional career.
To put that in perspective, pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather only fought three undefeated opponents in a glittering 18-year, 49-fight career."

Joe Cusumano 2 0 0
Jon Hill         2 0 0
James Shorter 3 0 0
John L Smith 13 0 0 (lost to J bergman 1round KO)
Joshua Tufte 11 0 0 (Martz lost this fight SD 10 rounds)
Alexis Santos 13 0 0

yep-  definitely a bit of spinning going on there...

[cranky]

interested to see the punters reaction to these opponents... I get the "focus on overcoming one new obstacle at a time" game plan, but also expect fans to be largely disappointed....

[NakiFan]

They will be especially if these two fights last a total of 5 rounds. The USA plans after Samoa will really be interesting...at least then they can tempt boxers that don't travel or can't (AKA Mansour)