Kiwi fighter compared to a ‘prime’ Holyfield
Joseph Parker has been likened to former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and narrowly favoured to win his WBO title fight against Andy Ruiz.
The judgment comes from respected American boxing writer Gerardo Granados as media interest and analysis grows ahead of the battle for the belt vacated by Tyson Fury.
Granados said Parker’s calibre of opponents on his unbeaten run over 21 professional fights was better than the fighters Ruiz had faced and also better than some of the current champions.
‘‘I have no doubt that he has faced and beat better opposition than Andy Ruiz, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder,’’ Granados wrote for boxingnews24.com.
‘‘Joseph has a solid jab, good speed along with great power and killer instinct. He reminds me of a prime Evander Holyfield.’’
Granados had one cautionary area about Parker’s defensive game, highlighting the sloppy left hand work that has dogged him and left him vulnerable.
‘‘In his last four fights the cyclone Parker has developed a tendency to drop his hands, but this can and better be corrected with ease.’’
Ruiz speed and power deserved respect but the final decision was given to Parker in a tight contest.
‘‘Ruiz has a good chance to win. Ruiz is a big puncher, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins. None the less, I believe Parker must be the clear favourite because he has better overall boxing skills than Andy.’’
Granados feels the fight has the ability to lift the frustration dogging the heavyweight division with Fury’s troubled demise and uncertainty over Wladimir Klitschko’s return.
‘‘I believe this fight has the style and all the ingredients to turn into an epic battle between two young lions hungry for fame and glory,’’ he wrote.
‘‘...statistically it will deliver an historical achievement for the winner but also gives us the chance to see the new blood that will rebuild the once premier weight division.’’