Joseph Parker

[NakiFan]

It'll be interesting how the first minute plays out. Will Takam hunch forward and bulldoze his way in close like Tupou tried to do? Will he stay back a bit and play jab for jab just to sort out his distances?

I'm picking Parker to make a stance early on as the bigger and more powerful fighter. He'll throw off any potential grapples from Takam and quickly work the body. This I think will be the winning of the fight. Meehan couldn't hold onto Parker when trying to slow him down with clinches, Martz (I know it was only Martz) tried and Parker quickly slipped him and fired in some very heavy shots leading up to the KO. Bergman just fell to his knees.

Parker is going to be slippery in the ring when they get in close, and all the work he has done lately improving body shots will lower Takams hands, opening up KO opportunities.

[Infern0]

If I was parker I wouldn't try to land too many body shots on the much shorter Takam, best is to use his reach and hand speed to frustrate takam from the outside. Takam will be looking for the overhand right and while not the biggest puncher you don't want to eat too many from him

[Infern0]

And parkers best win is Sherman Williams, he's a lot better than his record suggests

[shamrock]

Sherman is as old as diehard mate and not as conditioned.

[diehard]

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/413467-joseph-parker-seeks-opportunities-at-heavyweight

[shamrock]

Cool article

[tm7]

Stole from Boxrec forum..

Drug testing and neutral officials have already been agreed to as the rival camps of heavyweight boxers Joseph Parker and Carlos Takam begin negotiations to host their world title eliminator.

With the IBF last week ordering the fight to find a mandatory challenger for the winner of next month's title fight between champion Charles Martin (US) and Anthony Joshua (GB), the promoters have busied themselves with trying to sort through details of where, when and how.

Duco's Dean Lonergan indicated initial contact had ironed out some details though where the fight would be held remains a bargaining point.

Duco, naturally, want it in New Zealand while Takam's camp are keen for it to be held in France.

May 21 seems to be the preferred date at this stage.

Given the significance of the occasion, drug testing would be used and neutral officials for the referee and judges would also be involved to keep both camps happy, Lonergan confirmed.

They have until March 11 to come to final agreement though Lonergan indicated they could get a fortnight's respite if they were close to agreement but needed more time.

[Veritas]

The alphabet rankings have no credibility. They serve themselves and anyone who pays their fees.
JP is the number 1 ranked contender in the world according to current WBO rankings - why? 'Cos he's demolished
a bunch of nobodies - that doesn't make sense.. and you will lose your mind if you attempt to make sense of any of the ranking agencies.

My comment regarding the ranking of Joseph's opponents was based in the Boxrec ranking system. Although not perfect, it is non subjective
and is an honest attempt to rank each fighter ON MERIT factoring recent activity, rounds boxed, decisiveness of victory, ranking of opponent etc.. It's all
laid out here; http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/BoxRec_Ratings_Description

Unfortunately, the Boxrec site does not provide visibility of historical rankings but, this is were I go to assess the merits of JP opponents.
Meehan has been his highest ranked opponent by this system, at 50 something at the time.

Parker's toughest fight to date was with Sherman Williams - a pumped up cruiser-weight. Now, I understand that Williams wanted a rematch but it was declined.
Why? Parker was exposed by the 41 year old but, gained a valuable tough 10 rounds. A rematch with Williams should have been jumped upon so that JP could right
the wrongs and grow in confidence accordingly.. or, had the roadshow already locked in another sucker..?

Keeping Joseph busy is one thing but, his fight day experiences must have some benefit other than turning over the Duco tills. NakiFan asked who I would have
matched JP with after Meehan? No idea. But, I would not demean his campaign with 'the tallest guy he's ever fought' and 'his first southpaw' (aka patsies)
to meet the roadshow schedule.

All of a sudden Parker has been invited into a fight off for a version of the world title. This is a story of Rocky proportions.. given Parker's last 10 opponents
are currently ranked on merit 76, 122, 50, 115, 89, 183, 140, 96, 492, 129. Take the risk or, at age 24, knuckle down and hone your game on more appropriate
opponents for the next 18-24 months?

You all know my opinion.

[NakiFan]

Based on your idea of the road to the top, I'm wondering if any of the current heavyweights with titles or currently advancing towards a title have met this criteria?

[shamrock]

Well done Veritas thankyou your post verify s all I have ever wanted to say about JP and ducos cash pony. Not hate, just the way we know it. You won't get much credit here with that analysis..folks just need a hero despite the logics.