Why Parker struggles for opponents
Trainer Kevin Barry has explained the difficulties in getting Joseph Parker top-line opponents as little-known American Shawndell Winters was confirmed for this month’s fight in Texas.
Parker, No 2 with the WBO and hovering around the title calculations, is considered too dangerous without a major monetary reward for most fighters.
Barry, after a training session in Las Vegas yesterday that involved Parker sparring with an old foe in Carlos Takam, revealed several big names who were fruitlessly chased for the February 29 bout in Frisco on the outskirts of Dallas.
‘‘Before Joe even came back into camp we almost had Robert
Helenius, the WBA No 6, signed,’’ Barry told Stuff.
He said they’d also reached out to respected American Gerald Washington and world-ranked Germans Christian Hammer and Erken Teper to no avail.
‘‘It looked like we were going to get Mariusz Wach but he ruled himself out.’’
Barry suggested the economics of the current environment made it hard for matchmakers and promoters to tie down preferred fights.
‘‘A lot of people look at the boxing business at the moment, especially with the streaming,’’ Barry explained.
‘‘There are a lot of opportunities opening up and I personally believe that a lot of these guys don’t want to put themselves in a fight against a dangerous opponent like Joe unless it is for a lot of money.
‘‘That has always been a bit of a problem in boxing.
‘‘A lot of guys protect their image.’’
On reflection, and given the limited fights Parker has had over the last 12 months, Barry feels Winters could be the ‘‘perfect opponent’’ to launch what he hopes will be a productive 2020.
‘‘Shawndell is the North American heavyweight champion, he’s No 14 with the WBA. He is on a bit of a tear at the moment, having pulled off a couple of good wins.
‘‘For me that makes him a dangerous opponent, the guy has got nothing to lose.’’
The 39-year-old Winters has a 13-2 record with 12 knockout wins. But that is light compared to Parker’s 26-2 record against superior opponents and the Kiwi will be expected to win well. Barry says that is crucial. ‘‘I’ve been telling Joe ever since he got back into camp it doesn’t matter who we fight, the most important thing is you have to look good.
‘‘The heavyweight division at the moment is on fire and Joe needs to be hot in this performance to solidify himself as one of the elite heavyweights in the world today.
‘‘If we are going to get these big fights, we have to look good. The fights we need to dominate, we have to dominate and look good.’’