Joseph Parker

[African Monkey]

(09-29-2016, 11:53 AM)Infern0 Wrote: Enforce the IBF mando please, I know the belts are fragmented but Ruiz for the vacant wbo is not what I want to see

Agreed. Andy Ruiz does not deserve a title shot.

[diehard]

On TV3 tonite, there was talk of KB and Lonergan having a heated conversation off air. My guess is that Lonergan is pushing for the NZ title fight with Ruiz while KB is trying to get Parker's mind on Dimitrenko. Is Lonergan crazy? No, don't answer that.

[diehard]

Now Joseph Parker’s manager says a fight with Andy Ruiz Jr could happen, with the vacant WBO belt to be on the line

James Slater - September 28, 2016 4 Comments

The heavyweight boxing landscape took a huge shift with the news that world champ Tyson Fury would be unable to fight for the foreseeable future due to mental health issues, and with Fury likely to be stripped of the belts he currently holds: the WBA and WBO titles, rival fighters are looking at getting their hands on them.

The latest news – subject to change, of course – tells us this: IBF champ Anthony Joshua will box in November; either against mandatory challenger Joseph Parker or former king Wladimir Klitschko. The WBO belt is expected to be declared vacant in the next ten days. The WBA will look into Fury’s position and make a decision forthwith.

Here’s where it gets complicated (more complicated). If Joshua fights Klitschko, Parker (who must first come through against Alexander Dimitrenko this Saturday) may well look to stay active and fight someone else; with David Price hoping for the bout, to take place on the Joshua under-card on Nov. 26th. But, in a new twist, Dean Lonergan, Parker’s promoter, has told The New Zealand Herald that he is looking at having Parker fight Andy Ruiz Junior (you know, the unbeaten Mexican/American who was to have fought Hughie Fury on the October 29 Fury-Klitschko II card, only to pull out of the fight even before the big rematch fell apart) in New Zealand in December.

READ David Price will box a six-rounder on Braehmer-Cleverly card, then possibly box Joseph Parker on November 26
Lonergan, who says he is exploring all possible options for his fighter, says Parker and Ruiz Jr could fight for the WBO belt, expected as it is, to be stripped from Fury very soon. Parker, unbeaten, is ranked, Lonergan explains, at No.1 in the WBO rankings.

“This Ruiz fight is an option we’ve started to look at because Eddie Hearn is off trying to do a deal with Klitschko and I fully understand that,” Lonergan said. “When Joseph is in the position he’s in: one – he’s the mandatory in the IBF, two – he’s the number-1 with the WBO, three – Tyson Fury is going to be stripped of the WBO belt – these are a lot of opportunities for Joseph and we are 100 percent going to explore the best opportunity.”

So, we could have two unbeaten fighters, Parker and Ruiz, fighting in Auckland for Fury’s WBO belt before the year is out. We could also see Joshua face Klitschko, and who knows what will happen to Fury’s WBA belt. It’s open season in the heavyweight division and when the smoke clears (if it ever does) who will be top dog? It could be a long, long time before we ever see an undisputed heavyweight champion again, put it that way!

[shamrock]

(09-29-2016, 07:26 PM)African Monkey Wrote:

(09-29-2016, 11:53 AM)Infern0 Wrote: Enforce the IBF mando please, I know the belts are fragmented but Ruiz for the vacant wbo is not what I want to see

Agreed. Andy Ruiz does not deserve a title shot.

Yep, give us jo and ants please

[diehard]

Why is Parker fighting Dimitrenko Video from ESPN:

http://www.espn.com.au/video/clip?id=17657853

[diehard]

Parker vs Ruiz?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/84819076/andy-ruiz-the-slob-who-could-fight-joseph-parker-for-a-world-heavyweight-title

[NakiFan]

This sums things up nicely when considering Ruiz vs Parker

[diehard]

Ruiz can fight, despite his weight. Interesting to see Lonergan in the background.

[Msreef]

Funny that KB was like 'Well I know, yeah' when Lonergan piped up.

Damn the heavyweight division keeps changing so fast, but I hope Parker fights AJ, I want Parker to take AJ's 0.

[Msreef]

Joseph Parker weigh in:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/84827354/joseph-parker-gives-away-weight-height-and-reach-to-alexander-dimitrenko-for-key-heavyweight-clash
"The official weigh-in was held at the fight venue at the Manukau Events Centre on Friday with Parker tipping the scales at 109kg."

For the Takam and Haumono fight Parker was 106.4kg, ~2.5kg gain is pretty good, hoping he hits a bit harder. Parker was 107kg for the Meehan fight.