Unbeaten Australian taunts Parker
Unbeaten Australian heavyweight Demsey McKean believes he has the size and style to beat Joseph Parker as talks brew over a trans-Tasman resumption of boxing.
Parker’s manager David Higgins and promoters Matchroom Boxing in Britain are keen to take advantage of New Zealand’s relaxation of coronavirus restrictions and are planning on an August fight with a limited audience at a unique setting in New Zealand that would have global television appeal as boxing fans look for a return to action.
McKean and veteran Lucas Browne have been mentioned as Australian options while Junior Fa is a logical New Zealand opponent for Parker though he appears to have priced himself out of the fight.
Browne has more international appeal and a common link with Parker – both having been beaten by Britain’s Dillian Whyte, though Browne was horribly KO’d while Parker saw out a rugged points loss.
But McKean is seen as the big mover in the Australian ranks. He is unbeaten over 18 fights with 12 KOs and has two WBO regional belts, moving up to a respectable No 14 ranking with that organisation. The 29-year-old won the Australian heavyweight title in 2017 and has dabbled in MMA in the past. He also has size at 1.98m to Parker’s 1.93m and is a southpaw.
The lanky lefty is talking up his chances, showing respect for Parker but insisting he has the game for the occasion.
‘‘I’m very blessed to be talked about even fighting Joseph Parker. It has been crazy, my phone is going wild and every day I am getting messages on social media about this fight,’’ McKean told BoxingNewsNow.
‘‘It definitely is the fight that the Australian public is demanding and I’m sure New Zealand boxing fans would much rather see Parker in a real fight against a live opponent than against a washed-up fighter.
‘‘I am definitely a live opponent and I would argue the most live opponent in the Oceania region right now. I think this fight makes a lot of sense and it would be a fantastic fight for Australia and New Zealand. I have a great team led by Angelo Di Carlo and I trust them to do everything in their power to make the fight happen.’’
The fight would do little to further Parker’s cause in terms of positioning him for a world title shot. It would be more about keeping Parker busy. But with that comes the risk assessment.
Parker is No 2 with the WBO, No 6 with the WBA and No 7 with the IBF. A loss to McKean would be a disaster to former WBO champion Parker just when he has got his career back on track after those costly 2018 losses to Anthony Joshua and Whyte.
Parker also has increased global appeal on the back of his incredible lockdown videos, the latest effort channelling The Karate Kid and featuring his father.