FIVE REASONS PARKER WINS
OPINION: They’re billing Joseph Parker v Hughie Fury as a 50-50 fight but the bookies don’t agree and nor do I.
The two square off in Manchester on Sunday (NZT) with Parker’s WBO world heavyweight title on the line in Fury’s back yard.
It’s two unbeaten heavyweights with Parker at 23-0 with 18 KOs and Fury at 20-0 with 10 KOs. Something has to give.
Here are five reasons why Parker beats Fury:
Power and physicality
Fury edges Parker in height and reach but that’s about it. Parker looks considerably more muscular and will take a weight advantage into the fight that will be very handy if Fury, as expected, looks to tie him up on the inside when Parker comes to attack. In terms of punching power, the general consensus is that Parker has considerable more bang than Fury and more grunt than anyone Fury has previously faced. That will be telling when he hunts the elusive Fury down. Parker is over the shoulder and elbow injuries that have dogged him over the past 18 months or so and he’s eager to return to his KO ways. Parker knows he needs to be the aggressor in this fight and has trained accordingly. When he gets in range he will damage Fury who is more noted for his jab than power combinations.
Experience
Parker has more rounds under his belt – 111 to Fury’s 92. But it’s not just about time in the ring, it’s about who that time has been spent against. Parker has fought superior opponents and come through rugged examinations from Carlos Takam and Andy Ruiz in particular. Fury has fought no-one of their class, his opponents have been second level at best. Fury has never been 12 rounds. Parker is comfortable pacing his fights, a factor that will be crucial if Fury manages to push the fight deep.
Speed
Parker has hand speed to go with his power and that’s what has seen him rise so quickly up the ranks. He can double jab and deliver thunder from both hands with accuracy. The boxing mantra is: it’s the punch you don’t see that gets you. Parker epitomises that and has a killer instinct to back it up. If he lands the decisive first punch he will go for the kill. Fury’s speed lies in his feet and he will look to use that to frustrate the champion. Parker needs clever ring-work to trap Fury, who likes to fight off the ropes, and get his hand speed working.
Motivation
Neither will be short of this ingredient with a world title on the line. But it’s Parker who owns the belt and knows what it takes to win it, especially in the championship rounds. He’s desperate to make a mark on debut in the UK and knows that the real riches lie beyond this fight. He has to get over this not inconsiderable hurdle but it’s all oh so close now. And you sense there’s something personal in this fight after all the frustrations the Furys have put Parker through with the delays and taking it away from Auckland to Manchester. There’s a simmering anger to Parker and a repeated public confidence to back that up which we rarely hear from him. He really wants to make Fury pay. There’s an unprecedented focus in his buildup that threatens to explode from the opening bell.
Mind games
This is a traditional area of strength for the Fury camp. But Hughie isn’t nearly as convincing as cousin Tyson with all his taunts and digs seeming a bit contrived. The Furys scored a coup by stealing the fight from Duco and taking it to Britain but Team Parker have scored the early points since landing in the UK. They’ve had the fight commissioner replaced as well as a referee they were never comfortable with. There will be a bit more to play out over the next few days but trainer Kevin Barry has been in this business long enough to know what to react to and what to duck and weave from. One of Parker’s greatest assets is his calmness out of the ring. Nothing seems to get to him until he steps through the ropes and flicks the switch. He’s kept his cool in London and won’t be rattled in Manchester.