05-03-2016, 03:56 PM
I just think this shows that over 4 sanctioning bodies, and the level of boxers working their own path towards their goal of having a chance of making it to a belt, that the level of fighter needed to go through to get a chance is low.
You can't blame Parker, Barry or Duco for this. Where there is one promotor negotiating to get a fighter organised, there is probably another 10 doing the same thing to the same fighter. Would Parker have done better by living and fighting in Las Vegas? Maybe, but you can't say the States has a strong HW division at the moment considering Martin being exposed so badly, and Brazeale the next best fighter in their ranks heading down the same path.
So Parker should have been based in Europe? He would have sunk or swam in that environment. He was a young, Samoan boy at 21 years old. Family and faith being his pillars of strength. Take that away at the early part of his career, who knows how he would of dealt with it...
So we are now at the precipice of hitting the big time with a IBF mandatory title shot. If he wins, there are more harder fights ahead of him, and if he loses he is still young and learning and this might open up easier negotiations to get further exciting fights.
I for one can't wait! Regardless of the outcome, Parker has lifted the profile of the sport in the country. That is a good thing.
You can't blame Parker, Barry or Duco for this. Where there is one promotor negotiating to get a fighter organised, there is probably another 10 doing the same thing to the same fighter. Would Parker have done better by living and fighting in Las Vegas? Maybe, but you can't say the States has a strong HW division at the moment considering Martin being exposed so badly, and Brazeale the next best fighter in their ranks heading down the same path.
So Parker should have been based in Europe? He would have sunk or swam in that environment. He was a young, Samoan boy at 21 years old. Family and faith being his pillars of strength. Take that away at the early part of his career, who knows how he would of dealt with it...
So we are now at the precipice of hitting the big time with a IBF mandatory title shot. If he wins, there are more harder fights ahead of him, and if he loses he is still young and learning and this might open up easier negotiations to get further exciting fights.
I for one can't wait! Regardless of the outcome, Parker has lifted the profile of the sport in the country. That is a good thing.