Joseph Parker

[Cosmic Drop]

Parkers defenses are improving, he's keeping that right hand up and he's starting to bob and weave which is new from him...I suppose now most pros in the top 30 will see Parker in the "high risk, low reward" basket now...Duco will be putting in overtime now to line up credible fighters.

[Boxingfan25]

Tua was simply to short to to get to Ustinov it also didn't help that he wasn't really motivated or interested in fighting anymore and that's why Ustinov beat him so easily. Usitinov will
Be a good name for JP to have on his resume though and I see JP beating him relatively easily to be honest he's got a big body for JP to attack I love how parker works the body and the head a lot of fighters neglect the body these days and it's crucial to breaking an opponent down.

[NakiFan]

Not much mention on here about Joseph's improving evasiveness in close when opponents are trying to wrap him up. He's getting strong, and with that, he is pushing off and getting out of grappling hugs to lay more hurt on opponents. This gassed Kali real quick. He didn't have time to tie up Joseph and slow him down.

Joseph still was a bit excited though wasn't he, but I loved how he with opportunity, looked to KB for a quick bit of guidance from the edge of the ring. That speaks hugely to me that he has the drive to follow instructions, not loose his head (aka King Afa brawl). Exciting time for the young man. I for one can't wait to witness what he'll bring to the next fight.

[Calikiwi]

just got a chance to see the fight. have to give the kid credit, every fight he looks better, hand speed and power looking good.

looking forward to the next few years.

[shamrock]

Agreed Cali, he's developing

[diehard]

Still don't get his excitement issue in the first round. He was smacking Meehan from pillar to post, trying to end it when he had the chance. And he almost did. And, like NakiFan said, his defence was better. Don't want to be stupid and exchange when he didn't need to, but I didn't think he did.

Yeah, Meehan tried to tie him up in the early part of the first round, and did. But that was the last time he did. Bring on better opposition!

[shamrock]

Just needs develop angles I think Cali, but yea, next cpl of years will tell it..

[NakiFan]

Jab, Jab, Right, Goodnight

[shamrock]

Joseph Parker's Samoan challenge will come from left-field

DUNCAN JOHNSTONE

Last updated 11:17, October 22 2015

A new destination brings a new challenge for rising New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker who will face a left-handed opponent for the first time in Samoa in January.

Parker's Samoan schedule, dubbed "Rumble in Paradise" was confirmed in Apia on Thursday.

He will fight at the Faleata Sports Complex, an indoor venue with 2000 seats, on Saturday, January 23 with the bout kicking off another busy year for the 23-year-old.

Parker's opponent is yet to be named, but his promoters have confirmed that he will be facing "a risky left-handed fighter for the very first time".

As well as seeing a taller opponent vital to Parker's continued progression they want to pit him against a "southpaw" to test his defensive patterns and make the necessary attacking adjustments. Southpaws fight with their right foot forward, leading with right-handed jabs to set up their heavy left-handed bombs.

Parker welcomed the challenge.

"It's a different style of fighting and it's awkward," Parker said from Samoa.

"Southpaws stand a different way and throw different punches."

The top 10 active southpaw heavyweights at the moment, according to Boxrec rankings are: Tony Thompson (US), Antonio Tarver (US), Ruslan Chagaev (Uzbek), Artur Szpilka (Poland), Louis Ortiz (Cuba), Mike Perez (Cuba), Amir Mansour (US), Charles Martin (US), Francesco Pianeta (Ger) and Donovan Dennis (US).

Parker doesn't want to get ahead of himself. He first has to feature on the Fight For Life promotion in Hamilton on December 5 and his opponent there is also still to be announced.

But Parker admitted he was thrilled to be getting a chance to fight in Samoa, where both his parents were born and the island is a regular holiday destination with his family owning property 30 minutes from Apia.

"Samoa is part of who I am and it's part of my culture and I want to give back to my people," he said.

Parker has been in Samoa since Tuesday and has proven a huge hit with the public.

Thursday's confirmation of the fight details followed a meeting with Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi.

The fight follows the All Blacks' historic test against Samoa in Apia in July.

It will be a landmark fight for Samoa who never had the pleasure of seeing heavyweight star David Tua fight there during his prime.

Parker has fought in the United States and Germany with the bulk of his bouts in New Zealand.

Parker's last fight was a third round knockout of veteran Kali Meehan in Auckland last week that took his professional record to 16-0 with 14 KOs.

Parker is ranked No 6 with the WBO, 13 with the WBA and 14 with the WBC and independent rankings issued by respected website Boxrec saw him leap nine places to No 9 on the back of the result against Meehan.

[diehard]

Thanks for the post, Sham. The opponent could be your boy Tony Thompson. He's 43, will never fight for a title again, is tall and left-handed, and will be looking to cash in for his retirement.

Sham, are you close to getting on the Parker Express? All aboard.