Joseph Parker: How Heavyweight Contender Becomes World Champion Again | Boxing News

When Joseph Parker returns to the ring on Saturday night, the heavyweight hopes he will begin a journey that ends with becoming a two-time world champion.

The New Zealander has been one of the most famous names in the heavyweight scene since he announced he defeated Andy Ruiz Jr. to become world champion in 2016.

Since then, he has been involved in several large-scale fights, establishing himself as one of the most notable athletes in boxing’s most fascinating division.

A loss to Britain’s Joe Joyce last September halted Parker’s run for another world title, but he made his much-anticipated comeback at Manchester’s AO Arena on Saturday.

Parker will take on Jack Massey in one of several highlights of the star-studded undercard of Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Liam Smith. sky sports box office.

Ahead of the match, we’ll take a look at why Parker shouldn’t be left out of a return to the top.

Lewis Jr. in an impressive scalp

Parker has one of the best resumes of any active heavyweight boxer.

He beat one of the most dangerous fighters in the division. Andy Ruiz Jr. World Champion in December 2016.

Parker made the majority decision against the quick Californian who would later stun Anthony Joshua and become champion.

Joshua, who will soon regain the title in a rematch, is the only other fighter to beat Lewis.

Parker then hands Huey Fury It was the first defeat of his professional career in front of a hostile Manchester crowd and dominated the Englishman for another points win.

After the first two losses of his career, Parker rebuilt with a string of impressive knockouts and embarked on a thrilling back-to-back contest. Derek Chisora.

Parker emerged victorious on both occasions, overcoming a shocking early knockdown in the first encounter before delivering a dominant performance in the rematch.

gain credit with severe losses

Oddly enough, perhaps the bigger indicator of Parker’s pedigree is the three defeats he’s suffered.

Lost the undefeated record in the unification match with. Anthony JoshuaAs fearless as ever, Parker has come to the UK to co-star in a big show at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Joshua was probably more comfortable at this point on the big stage, but the London native Joshua outperformed Parker as he was a bit gun-shy in a contest where neither fighter had much to choose between. I was.

Rather than slowly rebuilding, Parker chose to quickly join another large-scale battle. Dillian White at the O2 Arena in London.

Perhaps stabbed by his own cautious approach to the Joshua fight, Parker fired all his guns against White but paid the price as he was knocked down in the second round and again in the ninth. I paid.

Parker, however, has had his fair share of rounds, knocking White down in the final round, leaving the home fighter hanging on the final bell, and remarkably rising to finish on the front foot.

White won by a narrow margin, but Parker ended the tale of being a boring fighter and displayed incredible bravery to nearly make a spectacular comeback.

Parker then stringed together six wins, including two over Chisora, met fellow competitors and returned to the brink of a world title challenge. Joe Joyce.

In the Barnstorming contest, the Englishman endured a barrage of clean shots from Parker, furthering his granite jaw legend before finally turning the tables and forcing an 11-round stoppage.

The fact that this performance established Joyce as the frontrunner for the next challenge for the world title shows just how formidable Parker put up.

I have a lot left to give

Reading the above, you might think Parker is nearing the end of his career after 33 professional fights, but he turned 31 earlier this month.

He is, in some cases, considerably younger than the likes of Fury, Usik, Joshua, Deontay Wilder, Joyce, Lewis, and White.

Looking at the example of Chisora ​​performing at his best in his mid-to-late 30s, Parker still has plenty of time ahead of him at the top of the sport.

The Oakland-born fighter can also count on a level of experience most people could only dream of.

In addition to what he’s accomplished under the lights, Parker will have to keep improving thanks to the big changes he’s made in 2021 by joining forces with trainer Andy Lee.

Lee is also part of Tyson Fury’s team. That means Parker has the advantage of training with the man most considered to be the best fighter in the division.

A Fragmenting Heavyweight Title?

Parker will have to keep the bargaining close by picking up a few wins from Saturday night’s match against Massey, but another world title challenge isn’t necessarily far away.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are looking to put up an undisputed battle this year, but the match could also do well for other contenders in the division.

It is almost impossible for an undisputed champion to hold all the belts while satisfying each of the sport’s governing bodies.Jacques Caterroll.

Whatever the outcome of the Fury-Usyk match, it’s entirely possible that the titles will fall apart afterward.

Furthermore, while Fury has already retired and returned to the sport, Usik has previously hinted that he has little left to achieve in boxing after this fight.

Multiple heavyweight titles are likely on the horizon as early as late 2023, and if Parker picks up one big win, he could be back in contention soon.

He speaks of his desire to rematch each of the three men who defeated him. A win over either Joshua, Joyce, or White would definitely have Parker in the mix.

Chris Eubank Jr. vs Liam Smith will air live on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday, January 21st.Book now if you are sky tv subscribers or Sky TV non-subscribers.