03-13-2022, 04:54 PM
Risk versus reward: Weighing up six of Joseph Parker's potential opponents
Sam Wilson
19:05, Mar 12 2022
Joseph Parker has plenty of options in the US and Britain after his crowd-pleasing win over Dereck Chisora last December.
Sam Wilson is a Stuff sports writer
OPINION: Almost three months have passed since Joseph Parker gave his heavyweight title ambitions a shot in the arm with a dominant decision win over Dereck Chisora in Manchester.
The one-sided nature of their entertaining sequel at Manchester Arena earned Parker plenty of plaudits at home and abroad and put the former champion firmly in the mix for another tilt at world honours.
Some felt it was the Kiwi's finest display in the ring since he defeated Andy Ruiz Jr in Auckland to win the WBO belt in December 2016, and a sign of the rapid progress he has made under new trainer Andy Lee in Morecambe.
Yet due to a nagging elbow injury and protracted negotiations over his fighting future, Parker has been unable to capitalise on the momentum gained from that victory, with no opponent locked in for his first outing of what looms as a pivotal year in the 30-year-old's career.
Parker (30-2, 21 KOs) has been strongly linked with a number of his rivals in recent weeks, leaving it up to manager David Higgins to consider the risks against the rewards.
Here, Stuff runs the rule over the six fighters in the frame to face Parker next, weighing up the scale of the challenge and the likely financial benefits.
Andy Ruiz Jr's brief title reign ended in his immediate rematch with Anthony Joshua after he let success go to his stomach.
Andy Ruiz Jr (34-2, 22 KOs)
After establishing himself as a fan favourite in Britain, Parker's next goal is to crack America. Higgins believes a sequel with Ruiz Jr – the man who briefly held three heavyweight belts after stunning Anthony Joshua in New York – would help him achieve that goal.
“One of the Holy Grails in this game is to be a name on either side of the Atlantic, with pay-per-views in the US and the UK,” Higgins told Stuff recently.
“Joe has established himself on the British market, and imagine what a fight against Andy Ruiz at somewhere like Madison Square Garden in New York could do.”
A fight with Ruiz Jr – backed by the powerful yet elusive promoter Al Haymon – would certainly be a lucrative one, earning Parker a near career-high payday, particularly if, as expected, it wound up on PPV.
The Mexican-American would likely start as the bookies' favourite (he insists he deserved to get the nod in Auckland) but has been worryingly inactive since losing his belts in a rematch with Joshua and Parker and his team will believe he is there for the taking.
Ruiz Jr looked sluggish in his sole outing last year, dropped twice by veteran slugger Chris Arreola during an unconvincing points victory. With questions remaining over his hunger for the fight game, the time may be right for Parker to pursue a profitable rematch.
Risk rating: ***
Reward rating: ****
Joseph Parker harbours deep regrets over his timid performance against Anthony Joshua in their 2018 unification clash.
Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs)
Despite losing his titles for the second time against Oleksandr Usyk last September, Joshua remains the cash cow of the blue-riband division, able to sell out huge stadiums in the UK in a matter of minutes.
As well as looking increasingly beatable, everyone wants a piece of the big Brit for the life-changing sums on offer, and Parker is no different. He's also driven by revenge after feeling he didn't show enough aggression in that unification loss in Cardiff four years ago.
With a rematch against Usyk for the WBA, WBO and IBF belts currently on ice while the Ukrainian fights for his homeland, Joshua expressed interest in facing Parker a second time.
It's a fight that Parker and his team would no doubt take in a heartbeat, with the Kiwi promising a different outcome should they meet again. Joshua still presents a formidable challenge, though in this case the rewards comfortably outweigh the risks, even with no titles on the line.
Risk rating: *****
Reward rating: *****
Joe Joyce has already taken some impressive scalps in his short pro career, including former champion Bermane Stiverne.
Joe Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs)
The unbeaten Joyce, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist, appears to be the frontrunner to face Parker next in another blockbuster on British soil.
Joyce's handlers have tabled an offer to Parker's team and are confident of getting a deal over the line. At 36, the 6ft 6in Joyce is no spring chicken and understandably eager to land a world title opportunity as soon as possible.
'The Juggernaut' may look ungainly and slow, but he packs a huge punch and has already compiled an impressive record as a pro, including the scalp of red-hot prospect Daniel Dubois last year.
A meeting with Parker would be a 50-50 fight, with the added carrot of the No 1 ranking with the WBO and a shot at that organisation's belt down the line. A risky assignment, but one with tangible rewards for Parker that would be a big deal in Britain.
Risk rating: ****
Reward rating: ***
Successive knockout defeats to WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury have left Deontay Wilder's confidence in pieces.
Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs)
The hard-punching American is looking to resurrect his career after back-to-back knockout defeats to Parker's close friend and training partner Tyson Fury.
If the Aucklander is serious about making a name for himself Stateside, then beating the 'Bronze Bomber' in his backyard would be just the ticket.
With 41 knockouts from 45 contests, there's no question that Wilder has fight-ending power in his right hand. But the Alabaman is a bit of a one-trick pony and his lack of boxing nous was cruelly exposed by Fury. His confidence is also likely to be low coming off two crushing KO losses.
Despite informal talks between their respective camps, Parker and Wilder never got it on while they were champions. A showdown at this juncture would still hold great appeal and earn a decent wedge for both men.
Risk rating: *****
Reward rating: ****
Michael Hunter fought to a disputed draw with Alexander Povetkin in 2019 and is among the division's leading contenders.
Michael Hunter (20-1-2, 14 KOs)
Another name mentioned as a potential opponent for Parker, Hunter was fortunate to escape with a split draw against journeyman Jerry Forrest in December.
Like Parker, he passed on an IBF eliminator with Filip Hrgovic and truth be told 'The Bounty' has regressed since leaving Eddie Hearn's Matchroom stable to join promotional upstarts Triller.
A smaller heavyweight with fast hands and quick feet, the 33-year-old's only defeat to date came at the hands of Usyk down at cruiserweight in 2017. He has a couple of notable wins at heavyweight, including a stoppage of Martin Bakole and a decision over Sergey Kuzmin.
Yet since Hunter is not a household name and doesn't hold a belt, it is hard to see the upside of this tricky style matchup for Parker. Lose, and it would be a significant setback to his title ambitions. Win, and outside a few diehards, he wouldn't get much kudos. It's also a fight unlikely to boost his bank balance significantly.
Risk rating: ***
Reward rating: **
Cuban southpaw Luis Ortiz dominated Deontay Wilder for seven rounds in their 2019 rematch only to be brutally stopped.
Luis Ortiz (33-2, 28 KOs)
Long-time contender Ortiz has had two cracks at a world title and come up short both times, despite largely dominating.
A skilled southpaw with power in both hands, the 42-year-old Cuban is still determined to reach the summit even in his advancing years and has the influential Premier Boxing Champions outfit behind him.
However, there were signs that Ortiz's age might be catching up with him in his last outing against former IBF titleholder Charles Martin. He was dropped in the first and fourth rounds and on unsteady legs before rallying for a sixth-round knockout.
On that evidence, Ortiz is ripe for the picking and would fit the bill as a highly-ranked and well-known opponent for Parker to announce himself to a US audience. At this stage, he represents a calculated risk with handsome financial and professional rewards.
Risk rating: ***
Reward rating: ****
Sam Wilson
19:05, Mar 12 2022
Joseph Parker has plenty of options in the US and Britain after his crowd-pleasing win over Dereck Chisora last December.
Sam Wilson is a Stuff sports writer
OPINION: Almost three months have passed since Joseph Parker gave his heavyweight title ambitions a shot in the arm with a dominant decision win over Dereck Chisora in Manchester.
The one-sided nature of their entertaining sequel at Manchester Arena earned Parker plenty of plaudits at home and abroad and put the former champion firmly in the mix for another tilt at world honours.
Some felt it was the Kiwi's finest display in the ring since he defeated Andy Ruiz Jr in Auckland to win the WBO belt in December 2016, and a sign of the rapid progress he has made under new trainer Andy Lee in Morecambe.
Yet due to a nagging elbow injury and protracted negotiations over his fighting future, Parker has been unable to capitalise on the momentum gained from that victory, with no opponent locked in for his first outing of what looms as a pivotal year in the 30-year-old's career.
Parker (30-2, 21 KOs) has been strongly linked with a number of his rivals in recent weeks, leaving it up to manager David Higgins to consider the risks against the rewards.
Here, Stuff runs the rule over the six fighters in the frame to face Parker next, weighing up the scale of the challenge and the likely financial benefits.
Andy Ruiz Jr's brief title reign ended in his immediate rematch with Anthony Joshua after he let success go to his stomach.
Andy Ruiz Jr (34-2, 22 KOs)
After establishing himself as a fan favourite in Britain, Parker's next goal is to crack America. Higgins believes a sequel with Ruiz Jr – the man who briefly held three heavyweight belts after stunning Anthony Joshua in New York – would help him achieve that goal.
“One of the Holy Grails in this game is to be a name on either side of the Atlantic, with pay-per-views in the US and the UK,” Higgins told Stuff recently.
“Joe has established himself on the British market, and imagine what a fight against Andy Ruiz at somewhere like Madison Square Garden in New York could do.”
A fight with Ruiz Jr – backed by the powerful yet elusive promoter Al Haymon – would certainly be a lucrative one, earning Parker a near career-high payday, particularly if, as expected, it wound up on PPV.
The Mexican-American would likely start as the bookies' favourite (he insists he deserved to get the nod in Auckland) but has been worryingly inactive since losing his belts in a rematch with Joshua and Parker and his team will believe he is there for the taking.
Ruiz Jr looked sluggish in his sole outing last year, dropped twice by veteran slugger Chris Arreola during an unconvincing points victory. With questions remaining over his hunger for the fight game, the time may be right for Parker to pursue a profitable rematch.
Risk rating: ***
Reward rating: ****
Joseph Parker harbours deep regrets over his timid performance against Anthony Joshua in their 2018 unification clash.
Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs)
Despite losing his titles for the second time against Oleksandr Usyk last September, Joshua remains the cash cow of the blue-riband division, able to sell out huge stadiums in the UK in a matter of minutes.
As well as looking increasingly beatable, everyone wants a piece of the big Brit for the life-changing sums on offer, and Parker is no different. He's also driven by revenge after feeling he didn't show enough aggression in that unification loss in Cardiff four years ago.
With a rematch against Usyk for the WBA, WBO and IBF belts currently on ice while the Ukrainian fights for his homeland, Joshua expressed interest in facing Parker a second time.
It's a fight that Parker and his team would no doubt take in a heartbeat, with the Kiwi promising a different outcome should they meet again. Joshua still presents a formidable challenge, though in this case the rewards comfortably outweigh the risks, even with no titles on the line.
Risk rating: *****
Reward rating: *****
Joe Joyce has already taken some impressive scalps in his short pro career, including former champion Bermane Stiverne.
Joe Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs)
The unbeaten Joyce, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist, appears to be the frontrunner to face Parker next in another blockbuster on British soil.
Joyce's handlers have tabled an offer to Parker's team and are confident of getting a deal over the line. At 36, the 6ft 6in Joyce is no spring chicken and understandably eager to land a world title opportunity as soon as possible.
'The Juggernaut' may look ungainly and slow, but he packs a huge punch and has already compiled an impressive record as a pro, including the scalp of red-hot prospect Daniel Dubois last year.
A meeting with Parker would be a 50-50 fight, with the added carrot of the No 1 ranking with the WBO and a shot at that organisation's belt down the line. A risky assignment, but one with tangible rewards for Parker that would be a big deal in Britain.
Risk rating: ****
Reward rating: ***
Successive knockout defeats to WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury have left Deontay Wilder's confidence in pieces.
Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs)
The hard-punching American is looking to resurrect his career after back-to-back knockout defeats to Parker's close friend and training partner Tyson Fury.
If the Aucklander is serious about making a name for himself Stateside, then beating the 'Bronze Bomber' in his backyard would be just the ticket.
With 41 knockouts from 45 contests, there's no question that Wilder has fight-ending power in his right hand. But the Alabaman is a bit of a one-trick pony and his lack of boxing nous was cruelly exposed by Fury. His confidence is also likely to be low coming off two crushing KO losses.
Despite informal talks between their respective camps, Parker and Wilder never got it on while they were champions. A showdown at this juncture would still hold great appeal and earn a decent wedge for both men.
Risk rating: *****
Reward rating: ****
Michael Hunter fought to a disputed draw with Alexander Povetkin in 2019 and is among the division's leading contenders.
Michael Hunter (20-1-2, 14 KOs)
Another name mentioned as a potential opponent for Parker, Hunter was fortunate to escape with a split draw against journeyman Jerry Forrest in December.
Like Parker, he passed on an IBF eliminator with Filip Hrgovic and truth be told 'The Bounty' has regressed since leaving Eddie Hearn's Matchroom stable to join promotional upstarts Triller.
A smaller heavyweight with fast hands and quick feet, the 33-year-old's only defeat to date came at the hands of Usyk down at cruiserweight in 2017. He has a couple of notable wins at heavyweight, including a stoppage of Martin Bakole and a decision over Sergey Kuzmin.
Yet since Hunter is not a household name and doesn't hold a belt, it is hard to see the upside of this tricky style matchup for Parker. Lose, and it would be a significant setback to his title ambitions. Win, and outside a few diehards, he wouldn't get much kudos. It's also a fight unlikely to boost his bank balance significantly.
Risk rating: ***
Reward rating: **
Cuban southpaw Luis Ortiz dominated Deontay Wilder for seven rounds in their 2019 rematch only to be brutally stopped.
Luis Ortiz (33-2, 28 KOs)
Long-time contender Ortiz has had two cracks at a world title and come up short both times, despite largely dominating.
A skilled southpaw with power in both hands, the 42-year-old Cuban is still determined to reach the summit even in his advancing years and has the influential Premier Boxing Champions outfit behind him.
However, there were signs that Ortiz's age might be catching up with him in his last outing against former IBF titleholder Charles Martin. He was dropped in the first and fourth rounds and on unsteady legs before rallying for a sixth-round knockout.
On that evidence, Ortiz is ripe for the picking and would fit the bill as a highly-ranked and well-known opponent for Parker to announce himself to a US audience. At this stage, he represents a calculated risk with handsome financial and professional rewards.
Risk rating: ***
Reward rating: ****