Parker respects danger posed by Flores
AUCKLAND: AmericanMexican Alexander ‘‘The Great’’ Flores, who has only one loss on his professional record, has been announced as Joseph Parker’s next opponent.
Parker will meet Flores (28) in the ring in Christchurch on December 15 in a bout which could decide his future in the sport.
Nothing less than a knockout victory would be satisfactory for the Kiwi, a former WBO heavyweight world champion on the comeback after two consecutive defeats.
His team will hope its matchmaking due diligence on Flores, who has a
171 professional record, is on the money, because a defeat at
Horncastle Arena would be disastrous for Parker.
‘‘With Joseph coming off two straight defeats — however unlucky — a third defeat would be catastrophic for his career,’’ promoter David Higgins said.
‘‘Alexander’s undoubted punching power makes this an extremely dangerous assignment for Joseph so it is fair to say I am the most nervous I have ever been before a fight.’’
Parker, who began his training camp in Las Vegas two weeks ago, said he respected the danger posed by Flores.
‘‘I’m really glad that Alex is coming to New Zealand full of confidence,’’ Parker said.
‘‘For me boxing is all about the challenge — and this is another big one. I know what is stake. I need to win and win well.
‘‘I need to knock him out and I will knock him out. But I can’t focus on that. I need to focus on getting better each and every time I get in the ring.’’
Flores’ only loss was against former IBF champion Charles Martin, a man with limited ability who went only one round with Anthony Joshua in London before the Brit knocked him over and out. Parker lost his WBO world title to Joshua but went 12 rounds in doing so.
But, predictably, the visitor, in Auckland on media duties, sounds confident.
‘‘There is no way this fight goes 10 rounds,’’ Flores said. ‘‘I’m going to knock him out. ‘‘A lot of people might not have heard of Alexander The Great yet — but they’ll all know who I am after December 15.’’ — NZME