12-30-2014, 01:51 PM
(12-28-2014, 12:28 PM)diehard Wrote: Joseph Parker tipped as a real knockout by ESPN expert Dan Rafael
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
ON THE UP: Joseph Parker is getting praise from all the right circles.
Heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker has been named one of the sport's rising stars and tagged as "the total package".
The 22-year-old has got a real admirer in ESPN's Dan Rafael, widely acknowledged as one the world's best boxing writers.
Rafael has listed Parker among his 20 rising stars and "one to watch" as well as nominating Parker's last win over Brazilian Irineu Beato Costa Jr for the knockout of the year award.
Parker won all five fights in a busy year where he took his unbeaten record to 12 victories and moved to No 10 with the WBA and No 12 with the WBO.
"The heavyweight division is in desperate need of new blood and Parker is one of the guys seemingly ready to deliver it," Rafael wrote.
"Already a popular attraction in his country, Parker (who has had two fights in the United States) looks like the total package so far with good size (6-foot-4, 230 pounds), big power and a good team behind him, including noted trainer Kevin Barry.
"In 2014, Parker was 5-0 with 4 KOs, including wins against veterans Brian Minto (TKO7) and Sherman Williams (W10). His fourth-round destruction of Irineu Beato Costa Jnr on December 6 was as brutal a knockout as you'll ever see."
Barry said recognition from ESPN was "a great achievement after two years as a pro".
Parker was one of only two heavyweights on the ESPN list. The other was unbeaten British 25-year-old Anthony Joshua, who won the 2012 Olympic super heavyweight gold medal and has taken his professional career to 10 wins, all by knockout.
Joshua and Parker appear to be on a collision course.
Parker promoters Duco Events have another busy schedule planned for Parker in 2015, hoping for a world title shot within two years. Parker's next opponent will be named next week.
Its ok to Pad a guys record as long as you have work to do in regards to his skills. Guys you just know he can beat are there to be used for the purpose of edification and education. Telling porkies about the true level of his opponents is also a promoters right. A guy who is ranked 10th in the world and a guy who is actually the 10th best fighter in the world are 2 completely different matters. In real life, i think Joseph may well be in the top 100. Costa Jnr was more like a top 200 fighter......and thats giving his handlers huge credit for getting him into a to 16th ranking. It is what it is. Its just a pity that Duco didnt match Tua up with a tune-up with such a beast as Jnr was..... lmao