Parker’s fight options as he plots swift return
It was a far from vintage display, but Joseph Parker at least returned to the win column last weekend with his decision victory over Jack Massey in Manchester.
Coming off a confidencesapping knockout loss to Joe Joyce, the former WBO champion had been tipped to take out his unfamiliar opponent inside the distance.
After all, the Englishman had never fought at heavyweight before and was giving up a hefty 14kg in weight to Parker (31-3, 21 KOs), who came in with a point to prove.
Yet as has often been the case throughout Parker’s successful if frustrating career, he flattered to deceive and fought to the level of his competition, making for a drab spectacle.
That said, a win’s a win and as his longtime manager David Higgins pointed out, Parker’s lacklustre showing could work in his favour.
The 31-year-old has long sought rematches against Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte and Andy Ruiz Jr, only for his pleas to be ignored. They might be more open after seeing him struggle to put away Massey.
But with Parker instructing his team he wants to get out again as soon as possible, likely in April, those fights are off the table for now. Here’s a rundown of five potential opponents as he looks to re-establish himself among the division’s top tier.
Michael Hunter (20-1-2, 14 KOs)
No-one has been more vocal about their desire to fight Parker than mouthy American Hunter. Known as ‘The Bounty’, the 34-year-old is looking for a bigname opponent to help reignite his career after a disastrous move to promotional upstarts Triller.
Hunter moved up from cruiserweight in 2018 and has taken some notable scalps, including victories over thenunbeaten prospects Martin Bakole (10th round TKO) and Sergey Kuzmin (unanimous decision).
His only defeat was a spirited points loss to unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2017 at 200 pounds, but he was held to a surprise draw by journeyman Jerry Forrest in his last outing 14 months ago.
Nevertheless, Hunter would be a difficult matchup style-wise for Parker, possessing fast feet and hands and respectable pop in his fists, as a 60.87% knockout ratio suggests.
On the plus side, at 1.90m (6ft 2in) he is one of the smaller heavyweights and won’t be able to impose his size on Parker.
His financial demands could be a stumbling block, particularly if a rumoured rematch with Bakole comes to fruition.
Demsey McKean (22-0, 14 KOs)
The unbeaten Australian has been linked with a trans-Tasman clash with Parker for years, so what better time than now?
The 1.98m (6ft 6in) Queenslander is based in the UK, where he’s been a regular sparring partner for Joshua and despite his impressive-looking record, is eminently beatable.
His best win was an out-ofthe-blue stoppage of American Jonathan Rice in March 2020 where he closed the show with seconds remaining in the 10th and final round.
Other than that, his resume is pretty thin and he hasn’t fought since October so will be eager for an opportunity.
However, McKean is contracted to rival promoter Matchroom, meaning Eddie Hearn would have to give the fight his blessing. That could be a problem given his frosty relations with Sky Sports and partnership with DAZN.
Furthermore, McKean is a virtual unknown in Britain – it would only make sense to put the fight on in either Australia or New Zealand, where it would capture the public imagination.
Hearn’s Matchroom are looking to break into the Australasian market so there is hope a deal could be done – if McKean isn’t thrown to Joshua first.
Bryant Jennings (24-4, 14 KOs)
Despite not having fought since a credible July 2019 decision loss to Joyce, the American veteran was in the running to face Parker before the opportunity to fight Massey arose.
Now 38, the Philadelphia native’s best days are long behind him, dropping his past two fights (he was also stopped by Oscar
Rivas). Indeed, the last time he tasted victory was almost five years ago, a ninth-round stoppage of Alexander Dimitrenko.
Yet boxing is a strange business and if Jennings does decide to resume his career, he would provide a credible test for Parker with his slick movement and ring craft.
He took long-reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko 12 rounds in his sole world title shot in 2015, and his elusiveness and durability might count against him.
Parker’s trainer Andy Lee was not enamoured with Massey’s negative approach, so wouldn’t relish putting his man in with another slippery customer known to hold and spoil.
Otto Wallin (24-1, 14 KOs)
The Swede has found willing dance partners hard to come by since giving Tyson Fury an almighty scare back in September 2019, almost forcing a stoppage of the WBC champion after opening up a bloody cut.
Wallin fought twice last year against Kamil Sokolowski and Rydell Booker and shook off the cobwebs against Helaman
Olguin earlier this week in a lowkey encounter.
He is hungry for big names having seen proposed bouts against Whyte and Joshua fall by the wayside and Parker could fit the bill.
A tricky southpaw with solid power in both hands, Wallin isn’t afraid to mix it up close and presents a tough challenge.
Parker would earn plenty of credit with a victory over someone of Wallin’s stature – particularly if he could become the first man to stop him.
Frazer Clarke (5-0, 4 KOs)
After beating Argentine slugger Kevin Nicolas Espindola on the undercard, Englishman Clarke threw his hat in the ring to face his Boxxer stablemate Parker.
‘‘I’m game as badger. That’s what I’ve been saying all week, I’m here for it,’’ Clarke said.
Don’t let Clarke’s lack of pro experience fool you. The 31-yearold is a decorated amateur – winning bronze at the Tokyo
Olympics – and has compiled a
‘soft’ perfect record in the paid ranks.