Beaten Parker bigger than ever
OPINION: He doesn’t have his world title any more but ironically New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker is more marketable than ever.
Having three belts would have sent Parker into uncharted territory but a circumspect Anthony Joshua now has the boxing world at his feet after his intelligent win over the big-hearted Kiwi.
Parker won over fans and pundits with his performance in and out of the ring in the UK.
His effort in front of 78,000 fans at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium convinced a considerable number of doubters the 26-year-old does have a role to play in the top tier of the current heavyweights.
This performance in defeat was more impressive than his two successful defences against Razvan Cojanu and Hughie Fury which had the lucrative British market dismissing him as any real threat to Joshua or of being worthy of his WBO belt.
But good head movement from Parker, some impressive defensive work and glimpses of a short-range attacking game before referee Giuseppe Quartarone stepped in to repeatedly halt proceedings, brought a human element to the seemingly invincible Joshua.
The big Brit had literally walked through most of opponents in recording 20 successive knockouts till Parker became the first fighter to take him the distance. That’s a badge of honour for Parker and a silver lining to this loss that may ultimately turn to gold.
In an ideal scenario from here, Joshua returns to his knockout ways and Parker quickly works his way back into title contention through some clever matchmaking.
Under those circumstances the question will always remain for Joshua: What about that guy you couldn’t knock out? Let’s do it again.
Ultimately it would be a hugely marketable fight a year or two down the line.
Parker, his promoter David Higgins and trainer Kevin Barry all emphasised a belief that they will cross paths with Joshua again.
They got out-manouvred in the ring in Cardiff by a leaner, sharper Joshua and openly admitted that.
But they didn’t get overpowered and that is something Joshua can never deny.
He hit Parker flush a few times but the Kiwi’s renowned chin stood the test.
After the fight Parker immediately emphasised a strong desire to bounce back from this first loss in a 25-fight professional career.
It was pleasing to get a message from him late in the week, after a few days to clear his head and get into the comforts of his home and family environment, that ‘‘We’ll be back stronger.’’
Parker has millions of reasons to take it easy right now with a bank balance the envy of any Kiwi his age.
But he has millions more reasons to get stuck in and work his way back.
The technical rather than explosive Cardiff fight didn’t demand an instant rematch, especially with Deontay Wilder and the American’s fourth belt in the unification equation beckoning for Joshua.
But scenarios can change in an instant and Parker’s performance means he will be part of any conversation in terms of titles and contenders. read: