01-24-2016, 05:47 PM
Bergman says Parker hits much harder than Wilder:
Joseph Parker set for major step up as promoters eye shot at heavyweight title
Joseph Parker has beaten Jason Bergman by TKO after the ref called a end to the fight in the eighth round.
Expect a significant step up in opposition the next time you see Joseph Parker in the ring as his promoters look to put him in position for a shot at the heavyweight title in the next 12 months.
Parker was given a much sterner test than many predicted in Samoa on Saturday night, with American southpaw Jason Bergman showing he was nothing if not durable in hanging around until the eighth round.
It was the culmination of a busy period for the 24-year-old Kiwi, his sixth fight in 10 months to improve his record to a perfect 18-0.
But while Parker takes a well-earned three-week break, Duco Events partners David Higgins and Dean Lonergan will be busy finalising plans for an Christchurch bout in April in what is expected to be a huge year for their prize fighter.
READ MORE:
* Parker too strong in Samoa
* Anthony Joshua 'running scared'
* Parker not feeling the pressure
* Weigh-in parade pumps Parker
* Parker calm amid storm
* Parker's special surprise
* Samoa shows Parker the love
Duco are hoping to manoeuvre Parker into a mandatory contender spot in one of the major boxing organisations, with WBO and WBA champion Tyson Fury or IBF holder Charles Martin seen as their most likely route to a title fight.
Parker is ranked third in the WBO and seventh in the IBF.
"We're looking at a South Island fight in mid-April and we're going to step up quite dramatically this year," Higgins said.
"Kevin's (trainer Kevin Barry) pointed out it was a southpaw challenge this time and after the break we're looking to really attack that world title so you'll expect to see significant steps up."
Asked which fighters they are looking at for April, Higgins added: "I think we're probably back to orthodox guys probably within the top 20 and then stepping hard, top 10 and beyond."
It is expected to be another busy year for the talented South Aucklander with a July date also on the cards.
And that could well be a defining fight for the talented South Aucklander.
"You'll likely get a eliminator-type fight mid-year," Higgins said.
"There's politics, sometimes it comes quicker and sometimes it takes longer but I think the guys are doing are great job and are on the right track."
Deontay Wilder is the other major title-holder in the division, successfully defending his WBC belt in New York last week on the same card where Martin beat Ukrainian Vyacheslav Glazkov for the vacant IBF strap.
In preparing for his victory over Poland's Artur Szpilka, Wilder held several sparring sessions with Bergman, who was reluctant to compare his fellow American with Parker in the post-fight press conference.
But Higgins said he was much more forthcoming away from the media.
"I found it fascinating Bergman pretending Joe wasn't hurting him in the comments said because it's very different to what Bergman said to Dean Lonergan straight after the fight, in fact quite the opposite.
"Dean said how does he compare, and Bergman's words were that Joe punches much harder and in bunches and is a better fighter."
Saturday's fight held extra significance for Parker being held at the birthplace of his parents, Dempsey and Sala.
Higgins admitted there was a big financial risk staging the fight away from New Zealand, but he was pleasantly surprised at how well the week turned out.
"We went into it with trepidation, [it's] easy just doing business in New Zealand, you know everyone, you know the market.
"There's a lot of hard work, a lot of travel, we thought we might lose a lot of money. We're certainly not going to get rich out of it but it's been more successful than we've anticipated."
Joseph Parker set for major step up as promoters eye shot at heavyweight title
Joseph Parker has beaten Jason Bergman by TKO after the ref called a end to the fight in the eighth round.
Expect a significant step up in opposition the next time you see Joseph Parker in the ring as his promoters look to put him in position for a shot at the heavyweight title in the next 12 months.
Parker was given a much sterner test than many predicted in Samoa on Saturday night, with American southpaw Jason Bergman showing he was nothing if not durable in hanging around until the eighth round.
It was the culmination of a busy period for the 24-year-old Kiwi, his sixth fight in 10 months to improve his record to a perfect 18-0.
But while Parker takes a well-earned three-week break, Duco Events partners David Higgins and Dean Lonergan will be busy finalising plans for an Christchurch bout in April in what is expected to be a huge year for their prize fighter.
READ MORE:
* Parker too strong in Samoa
* Anthony Joshua 'running scared'
* Parker not feeling the pressure
* Weigh-in parade pumps Parker
* Parker calm amid storm
* Parker's special surprise
* Samoa shows Parker the love
Duco are hoping to manoeuvre Parker into a mandatory contender spot in one of the major boxing organisations, with WBO and WBA champion Tyson Fury or IBF holder Charles Martin seen as their most likely route to a title fight.
Parker is ranked third in the WBO and seventh in the IBF.
"We're looking at a South Island fight in mid-April and we're going to step up quite dramatically this year," Higgins said.
"Kevin's (trainer Kevin Barry) pointed out it was a southpaw challenge this time and after the break we're looking to really attack that world title so you'll expect to see significant steps up."
Asked which fighters they are looking at for April, Higgins added: "I think we're probably back to orthodox guys probably within the top 20 and then stepping hard, top 10 and beyond."
It is expected to be another busy year for the talented South Aucklander with a July date also on the cards.
And that could well be a defining fight for the talented South Aucklander.
"You'll likely get a eliminator-type fight mid-year," Higgins said.
"There's politics, sometimes it comes quicker and sometimes it takes longer but I think the guys are doing are great job and are on the right track."
Deontay Wilder is the other major title-holder in the division, successfully defending his WBC belt in New York last week on the same card where Martin beat Ukrainian Vyacheslav Glazkov for the vacant IBF strap.
In preparing for his victory over Poland's Artur Szpilka, Wilder held several sparring sessions with Bergman, who was reluctant to compare his fellow American with Parker in the post-fight press conference.
But Higgins said he was much more forthcoming away from the media.
"I found it fascinating Bergman pretending Joe wasn't hurting him in the comments said because it's very different to what Bergman said to Dean Lonergan straight after the fight, in fact quite the opposite.
"Dean said how does he compare, and Bergman's words were that Joe punches much harder and in bunches and is a better fighter."
Saturday's fight held extra significance for Parker being held at the birthplace of his parents, Dempsey and Sala.
Higgins admitted there was a big financial risk staging the fight away from New Zealand, but he was pleasantly surprised at how well the week turned out.
"We went into it with trepidation, [it's] easy just doing business in New Zealand, you know everyone, you know the market.
"There's a lot of hard work, a lot of travel, we thought we might lose a lot of money. We're certainly not going to get rich out of it but it's been more successful than we've anticipated."