Dreaming on
Joseph Parker takes one small step back towards boxing’s big time.
In March 2018, Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker fought a heavyweight title unification bout against Briton Anthony Joshua in front of 78,000 spectators at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. Last weekend, he fought American journeyman Shawndell “The Bald Eagle” Winters at a 12,000-seat indoor stadium in Frisco, Texas.
The venues tell the story of Parker’s career trajectory. After being defeated by Joshua, he lost another points decision to Dillian Whyte at London’s 02 Arena. His fights since then have taken place at Christchurch’s Horncastle Arena, the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, and the aforementioned stadium in Frisco, a Dallas Cowboys practice facility that also stages the Whataburger Friday Night Stars, a local highschool football competition.
The comparison with the previous weekend’s highly charged Tyson Fury- Deontay Wilder encounter in Las Vegas ( Sport, March 7) was equally invidious: the atmosphere was flat, many ringside seats were unoccupied and the ring announcer was a particularly risible example of that bogus brotherhood. Although the fighters’ low-key entrances were a welcome change from the grandiosity of Las Vegas, they further contributed to the impression of a low-budget production.
Winters (39) has more children – seven – than he has years in the pro-boxing ranks – five. Furthermore, being a natural cruiserweight, he conceded a significant height and weight advantage. The equation for Parker was therefore simple: dispose of Winters convincingly or face up to the possibility that your ship has sailed.
To his credit, Winters was no pushover, but Parker, looking rough, tough and powerful, flattened him in the fifth. Mission accomplished. The journey, however circuitous, continues. The dream remains alive.