Parker has his feet firmly on the ground
Joseph Parker is a unique entity in heavyweight boxing.
While he packs a punch, it’s what he does with his feet that coach Andy Lee believes sets him apart from many of the world’s best fighters.
Speed has always been a key asset for the 31-year-old Kiwi heavyweight, both in his hands and his movement around the ring, and showing consistent improvements in his performances since the pair joined forced gives Lee reason to believe Parker still has plenty of room to grow.
“It’s really exciting to see how far he will go and how much he’ll improve,” Lee told the Herald.
“These big heavyweights are uncoordinated. They’re practising every day just how to throw and jab-one-two because they just don’t have the coordination. Joseph has that and he can be a complete fighter.
“He can be like a heavyweight Canelo Alvarez, really. He can be that good. He could have a middleweight’s fighting style, but in a heavyweight frame.”
Alvarez is widely regarded as one of the world’s best boxers in any weight class, with his skill allowing him to compete in many divisions despite potential size disadvantages — having won world titles in four weight classes. While Parker can’t achieve a similar level of decoration, Lee — a former middleweight world champion — believes he can be just as tough a talent for opponents to deal with.
Tomorrow morning, Parker will look to show his continued improvement in the ring against Joe Joyce for the WBO interim heavyweight title. This will be Parker’s third bout under the watchful eyes of his new coach, and Lee said he had been impressed with the improvements Parker had made since his win over Derek Chisora last December.
The bout against Joyce is one that has many fans and pundits intrigued. While Parker has a clear advantage in his speed and movement, Joyce has a sizeable reach advantage. The 37-yearold comes into the fight undefeated in 14 professional bouts, while Parker comes in with a 30-2 record and the underdog tag.