[ad_1]
Lawrence Lustig
Joseph Parker and Dillian Whyte at their pre-fight press conference in London
Joseph Parker is at the crossroads of his career. In a sense, there is a deep, dark and cavernous abyss, from which there may be no return: in the other, a brilliant road to the paved happiness of 39; gold.
What turn will Parker take? What does his fortune hold – in both senses of the word? We'll be much wiser late Saturday night (Sunday morning NZT) in a crowded O2 Arena in central London when the 26-year-old New Zealander will set his record of 24-1 against the formidable Dillian's 23-1 mark. 39 The Body Snatcher & Whyte.
Nobody jokes about the repercussions of this fight. For the winner there is a passport for wealth, and a quick ticket for a world title challenge; for the loser, the way back is almost too dark to consider. A year, maybe two, fighting in the middle of level battles against unnamed opponents, patiently trying to rebuild your tattered reputation is not the idea of an existence.
Remember, not so long ago Parker was a world champion. a WBO title belt to show for an undefeated career. Then the heavyweight Kiwi hit the formidable form of Anthony Joshua who, with a little help from a referee out of his depth, surpassed himself and then surpassed en route to a unanimous victory of the points. Since then, Parker counts at that time
READ MORE:
* Parker's victory over a suspicious judge
* David Higgins takes a punt
* Anatomy of the Perfect Accumulation
* Joshua Rematch on Cards
* Biggest fight of Joe's career # 39;
Now, this awesome kiwi takes the steepest road. It is a high risk, high reward business. A snakes and ladders type scenario. If he wins, and does it with any degree of style or power, he will definitely be back in conversations ending with the names Joshua and Wilder. The promoter David Higgins sincerely believes that a clash of 100,000 against the British champion at Wembley is an obvious possibility
That could even make it look like the supposed $ 6-7 million that he has accumulated from the first Joshua's battle to a silly change.
But even Higgins also admits that it's far from a second defeat on the rebound, both in front of a British boxing audience who loves Parker's arrow cut but will not stay on board Joshua's train ride if Joshua stumbles prove a more permanent illness
It's a prospect that needs to be acknowledged. Whyte, the punchy South Londoner, has won his last seven trots, as he also lost to Joshua in 2015. His last outing was an impressive win indeed over Australian Lucas Browne.
He's tough, he's experienced, he has a knock-out punch and he's nasty enough to crush Parker's entire master plan to find redemption. The Kiwi also noted his opponent's lack of pennant pressure on Thursday, suggesting "that he takes this challenge seriously."
Joseph Parker has everything to gain as he seeks to catapult directly into the global conversation of heavyweights.
But we are told that's exactly what Parker wanted. To be tested. Return to the horse and face another brutal Brit. Have the opportunity to show that his offensive performance strangely stifled against Joshua was the exception, rather than the rule.
At the press conference Parker promised to bring "bad intentions" and throughout his stay in London he took care to reveal a dark side of himself. He talked about wanting to hurt his training partners and want to inflict pain. It is clearly a direct response to what many saw as a performance without ambition and anger against Joshua.
There is no excuse either. Everything is gone for the Kiwi who, remember, was never kicked out in this matter. He looks tall, strong and lively, and all indications are that he is fit and fit for this redemption shot.
"I'm going to box smart and move well, because that's what made me here," Parker said. "I do not think he's the type of fighter who will make me move a lot, I want to throw lots … to win a fight you have to kick, and I'll throw lots."
Adds coach Kevin Barry: "Joe knows the meaning of this fight, he knows what he's facing, which is a Dilian Whyte very dangerous, very powerful, very hungry." My fighter looks in great shape, There is something burning in Joe Parker's belly and he can not wait to get into the ring with Dillian. "
All the indicators are that Parker is the top boxer, he left with Joshua, Whyte was a TKO in round 7. The Kiwi seems to have the smoothest skills, the fastest hands, the strongest jaw And, most importantly, he has the best game.
"We are both hungry for this fight," added Parker, "I want to be a champion again." I have the impression of having more motivation for this fight.
Whyte's coach had good things at the press conference. He said Parker had dropped all British boxing with his abject failure to deliver his word against Joshua "Dillian Whyte is going to rough it up and harden it, persistently and consistently," said Mark Tibbs, "We'll get him down, betray him and demolish him, we have to eat, we have to live, man."
Whyte – even shrugged his shoulders and stayed away from any boasting or wasting. he described Parker as "cowardly", but you may feel that he has stumbled on the meaning of what he is about to do. He introduced the dangerous face of a concentrated man to Thursday's pre-fight gabfest.
Both fighters have a lot to gain. And even more to lose
WATCH THE COMBAT
Earn free access to the Sky Arena
Watch online with FANPASS
Follow the live in-blog on the subject
Marc Hinton traveled to London with the help of Duco Events.
– References
