02-23-2015, 01:28 PM
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker up to No 9 in WBO rankings
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
FACE OFF: Joseph Parker faces unheralded American Jason Pettaway in Auckland next month.
Top New Zealand boxer Joseph Parker has been given a timely boost in the world rankings ahead of his next bout, breaking inside the top 10 with the respected WBO organisation.
Parker has jumped three places to No 9 on the WBO's latest rankings, a significant move to start a year where his handlers hope to manoeuvre him towards a world title shot.
Parker's No 10 ranking with the WBA has remained stable in the February adjustments.
The challenge for Parker's management is to get him into the frames of the WBC and IBF where he doesn't feature in either organisation's top 15.
They need to start targeting fighters in those organisations to spread Parker's value and make him irresistible among the leading title contenders in a division that still sees Wladimir Klitschko holding three of the belts and American Deontay Wilder in charge at the WBO after beating Canada's Bermane Stiverne by unanimous decision last month.
Parker's next fight is against unheralded American Jason Pettaway in Manukau on March 5.
The 23-year-old is coming off the best knockout of his career, a fourth-round demolition of Brazil's Irineu Beato Costa Jnr in Hamilton last December.
American Pettaway brings a 17-win, one-loss record to New Zealand.
Getting a line on Pettaway's ranking is difficult.
The best indicator comes via the BoxRec website that publishes independent rankings.
They have Parker handily placed at No 24 with Pettaway a long way down the order at No 152 on the back of four wins last year.
Other heavyweights with Kiwi connections inside the top 100 of the BoxRec rankings are Kali Meehan at No 30 and Sonny Bill Williams, who has lifted to No 99 after beating American Chauncy Welliver last month.
- Stuff.co.nz
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
FACE OFF: Joseph Parker faces unheralded American Jason Pettaway in Auckland next month.
Top New Zealand boxer Joseph Parker has been given a timely boost in the world rankings ahead of his next bout, breaking inside the top 10 with the respected WBO organisation.
Parker has jumped three places to No 9 on the WBO's latest rankings, a significant move to start a year where his handlers hope to manoeuvre him towards a world title shot.
Parker's No 10 ranking with the WBA has remained stable in the February adjustments.
The challenge for Parker's management is to get him into the frames of the WBC and IBF where he doesn't feature in either organisation's top 15.
They need to start targeting fighters in those organisations to spread Parker's value and make him irresistible among the leading title contenders in a division that still sees Wladimir Klitschko holding three of the belts and American Deontay Wilder in charge at the WBO after beating Canada's Bermane Stiverne by unanimous decision last month.
Parker's next fight is against unheralded American Jason Pettaway in Manukau on March 5.
The 23-year-old is coming off the best knockout of his career, a fourth-round demolition of Brazil's Irineu Beato Costa Jnr in Hamilton last December.
American Pettaway brings a 17-win, one-loss record to New Zealand.
Getting a line on Pettaway's ranking is difficult.
The best indicator comes via the BoxRec website that publishes independent rankings.
They have Parker handily placed at No 24 with Pettaway a long way down the order at No 152 on the back of four wins last year.
Other heavyweights with Kiwi connections inside the top 100 of the BoxRec rankings are Kali Meehan at No 30 and Sonny Bill Williams, who has lifted to No 99 after beating American Chauncy Welliver last month.
- Stuff.co.nz