Tua’s conqueror backs Parker blueprint for Ruiz fight
Lennox Lewis believes Joseph Parker has the blueprint to win a world heavyweight title that David Tua couldn’t.
Giant Brit Lewis crushed Tua’s dream with his unanimous points victory over the Kiwi in Las Vegas in 2000. Lewis ruled the division for a decade from 1993, retiring in 2004 with two titles still to his name.
He gave a master-class against Tua, using his massive reach advantage to keep the New Zealander on the outside to negate his dangerous left hook.
Lewis backed Parker, with similar physical advantages, to employ the same tactics against dangerous Mexican Andy Ruiz when they fight for the vacant WBO title in Auckland on December 10.
‘‘I know exactly what he’s going to do, he’s going to use that jab, he’s going to use that jab and throw that upper cut in there,’’ Lewis said in Las Vegas where he is attending this weekend’s light-heavyweight world title fight between Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward.
Parker has long admired the clinical style of Lewis, who mixed perfect technique with thunderous power to be a three-time heavyweight champion, a linear champion and the last undisputed champion of the world.
Parker also liked the way Lewis got out while he was on the top of his game, sound in body and mind. Lewis, 51, noted Parker’s acclaimed jab and said that would be the key to him becoming a force in the division which was ‘‘there for the taking’’ following Tyson Fury’s breakdown.
‘‘It should be an matchup,’’ Lewis said fight in Auckland.
He was guarded about Parker but felt this was the ideal time for the 24-year-old to make a statement.
‘‘Parker’s OK, he’s just started and he’s got a lot to work on, a lot to do, and we are going to have to see how he fares.
‘‘It all starts with the jab. If he starts off with the jab he shouldn’t do too bad. If he styles after me, interesting of the title he’s got to have a good jab . loose and dangerous.’’
December 10 looms as a definitive day for the division with Parker and Ruiz fighting just hours before . . long, ‘He’s going to use that jab and throw that upper cut. Anthony Joshua defends his IBF title against American Eric Molina in Manchester.
Lewis is happy to see the British scene revitalised and predicts few troubles for Joshua who, like Parker, is a young fighter making his mark. ‘‘I think Anthony Joshua has a good fight in the sense it’s not going to be difficult. Obviously he’s still got to watch out and not take any chances. I think it should be a three round fight for him,’’ Lewis predicted.
Lewis felt sympathy for Wladimir Klitschko, a similarly dominant champion, who had endured the frustration of waiting for a rematch with Fury since losing to the eccentric British fighter a year ago.
He felt Klitschko still remained the benchmark for the new breed of fighters like Parker.
‘‘The heavyweight division is wide open now, it’s there for the taking. It’s really down to who wants to step in there first, step into the arena first, and take that chance against Klitschko,’’ Lewis said.
‘‘Klitschko’s armour has been hitched in the sense he’s lost already, so he’s there, he’s beatable and he can be beat.
‘‘He is still the man to beat right now. I feel kind of bad for him because his belts have gone all over the place right now.’’
Parker and Joshua are both keen to tangle with Klitschko with Joshua favoured to host a fight early next year that will have the vacant WBA belt involved.
– Duncan Johnstone travelled to the United States as a guest of Duco Events.