08-28-2018, 05:55 PM
Joseph Parker plummets in boxing world rankings after consecutive losses
Duncan Johnstone
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker has had to take his world rankings demise on the chin.
Joseph Parker's world rankings have plummeted but his backers are brushing those off as they plot a return for the New Zealand heavyweight boxer.
The rankings have finally been updated on the back of Parker's second successive loss, a points defeat to Dillian Whyte in late July.
Parker now finds himself ranked in the top 15 by just one of the four major organisations – No 6 at the WBA.
Joseph Parker's controversial loss to Dillian Whyte has hit him hard in the heavyweight rankings but he is eager for a rematch with the rugged Brit.
Incredibly he has gone from being the WBO world champion to being unlisted by that organisation in the space of four months, after surrendering his belt to Anthony Joshua and then being upset by Whyte.
Parker had been No 6 with the WBO going into the Whyte fight. Now even fellow Kiwi Junior Fa is above him there at No 12 in a list that includes fighters from Germany, Sweden, Suriname, Japan, China, Ghana and Turkey amongst the usual suspects.
Joseph Parker held the WBO world heavyweight belt in March, now he's not even ranked inside that organisation's top 15.
The IBF have also dropped Parker out of their top 15 after having him at No 7 in July.
Parker hadn't been listed with the WBA heading into the Whyte fight.
The independent rankings provide a more realistic perspective of Parker's value. The respected Ring magazine have him two spots down at No 6, the IBO has him down one place to No 8 and BoxRec have the 26-year-old at No 10 as Joshua and Deontay Wilder share the four belts.
Parker's promoter David Higgins fended off the alarming rankings slump, believing Parker could quickly regain his place as a contender with the right fight and right result.
"We are not too fussed about that rankings stuff, it's simply a matter of getting a good win back on the horse," Higgins told Stuff.
"As long as you keep fighting and winning you'll get to the top.
"I can't imagine Joseph losing too much sleep over this ... he's pretty unflappable. He has got a job to do and that's what he's going to do."
Higgins felt Parker might be just one fight away from earning a rematch with Whyte, a fight he was sure there was an appetite for in Britain.
"Whyte is the sort of guy who will take any fight and deep down Whyte will know that Joe probably didn't get the rub of the green, that Joe was pretty unlucky. It was a cracker and Joe nearly came back and won at the end," Higgins said.
"I think that rematch is a matter of when, not if."
Parker's next assignment needs to hit the reset button. A third successive loss could prove terminal to his career. He needs a win and an impressive one, preferably a knockout. A reputable opponent needs to be carefully selected to try to achieve that.
Higgins said they had "options on the table" and it was a "50-50" choice between fighting in New Zealand or the United Kingdom before the end of the year.
Stuff
Duncan Johnstone
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker has had to take his world rankings demise on the chin.
Joseph Parker's world rankings have plummeted but his backers are brushing those off as they plot a return for the New Zealand heavyweight boxer.
The rankings have finally been updated on the back of Parker's second successive loss, a points defeat to Dillian Whyte in late July.
Parker now finds himself ranked in the top 15 by just one of the four major organisations – No 6 at the WBA.
Joseph Parker's controversial loss to Dillian Whyte has hit him hard in the heavyweight rankings but he is eager for a rematch with the rugged Brit.
Incredibly he has gone from being the WBO world champion to being unlisted by that organisation in the space of four months, after surrendering his belt to Anthony Joshua and then being upset by Whyte.
Parker had been No 6 with the WBO going into the Whyte fight. Now even fellow Kiwi Junior Fa is above him there at No 12 in a list that includes fighters from Germany, Sweden, Suriname, Japan, China, Ghana and Turkey amongst the usual suspects.
Joseph Parker held the WBO world heavyweight belt in March, now he's not even ranked inside that organisation's top 15.
The IBF have also dropped Parker out of their top 15 after having him at No 7 in July.
Parker hadn't been listed with the WBA heading into the Whyte fight.
The independent rankings provide a more realistic perspective of Parker's value. The respected Ring magazine have him two spots down at No 6, the IBO has him down one place to No 8 and BoxRec have the 26-year-old at No 10 as Joshua and Deontay Wilder share the four belts.
Parker's promoter David Higgins fended off the alarming rankings slump, believing Parker could quickly regain his place as a contender with the right fight and right result.
"We are not too fussed about that rankings stuff, it's simply a matter of getting a good win back on the horse," Higgins told Stuff.
"As long as you keep fighting and winning you'll get to the top.
"I can't imagine Joseph losing too much sleep over this ... he's pretty unflappable. He has got a job to do and that's what he's going to do."
Higgins felt Parker might be just one fight away from earning a rematch with Whyte, a fight he was sure there was an appetite for in Britain.
"Whyte is the sort of guy who will take any fight and deep down Whyte will know that Joe probably didn't get the rub of the green, that Joe was pretty unlucky. It was a cracker and Joe nearly came back and won at the end," Higgins said.
"I think that rematch is a matter of when, not if."
Parker's next assignment needs to hit the reset button. A third successive loss could prove terminal to his career. He needs a win and an impressive one, preferably a knockout. A reputable opponent needs to be carefully selected to try to achieve that.
Higgins said they had "options on the table" and it was a "50-50" choice between fighting in New Zealand or the United Kingdom before the end of the year.
Stuff