Wach is ready to take on Parker
Wach leaves Europe today to go to New York to be a sparring partner for his highly-rated countryman Adam Kownacki who fights Finland’s Robert Helenius in Brooklyn on March 7.
‘‘Parker is one of the best boxers in the world. I agreed to the fight with him right away, but now I am waiting for the move from his camp and confirmation that our duel will come,’’ Wach told dziennikpolski24 yesterday.
‘‘I haven’t trained for Parker yet. I have a lot of offers and if I had to wonder which one to choose, I wouldn’t have time to train. I assure you, however, that I will do everything to be best prepared for the clash with Parker.
‘‘I’ve already had the opportunity to train with Kownacki. Now I will be his sparring partner. My form is growing, it should not be bad.’’
The 40-year-old Wach, who stands 2.02m, is coming off a gallant points loss to one of Parker’s nemesis, Britain’s Dillian Whyte, in Saudi Arabia last December.
That was his sixth loss to go with 35 wins in a professional career dating back to 2005.
All Blacks playmaker Damian Mckenzie’s much anticipated return to Super Rugby will have to wait at least a week.
The 24-year-old was yesterday a late withdrawal from the Chiefs team to face the Blues in the competition opener in Auckland tonight, due to a groin strain.
Shaun Stevenson will come from outside the 23 to start at fullback for the match at Eden Park after Mckenzie pulled up at training with a tight adductor – a frustrating niggle just as he was on the verge of ticking the last box in his recovery from a serious knee injury.
Mckenzie had been out of the game for nine months after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament last April against the Blues in Hamilton, which not only ended his Super season but also ruled the 23-test star out of a maiden World Cup.
He made a successful playing return in the Chiefs’ pre-season match against the Blues in Waihi two weeks ago, playing 20 minutes, and was set to double that time this weekend in the competition proper.
Chiefs captain Sam Cane said