By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
Former WBO heavyweight champion and currently WBO #2 rated Joseph Parker is confident of defeating WBO #3 Daniel Dubois in the event a WBO eliminator is ordered between the two in 2020.
“I personally think Joseph Parker has too much pedigree and too good a head on his shoulders for Dubois,” Parker’s manager David Higgins told Sky Sports. “Dubois clearly has great power. There’s a lot of unknown there. I think Parker has got too much class. If we were ordered to fight or put in that position, it’s something that could be discussed down the track.”
Would be an interesting matchup. Dubois’ reach would be of benefit using the jab to lead on points during the whole fight. Parker may have some championship experience (which does not mean everything in boxing today), but that does not mean Parker would win for sure. I think it’s a better matchup than AJ and against the recycled-older Pulev. Everyone has their own opinion so your mileage may vary.
Even talking this fight shows how Dubois has been rising in status in the rankings and the view of boxing fans. But bad how Parker has been falling to becoming gatekeeper status. Parker must be of the youngest heavyweight ex champions to fall to this status 🙁
i think it really demonstrates that he was a little lucky on the way up. He probably lost Vs Ruiz. Many even thought he lost Vs Hughie Fury(he definitely didn’t look good). A loss in either of these would have killed any momentum he had for a few years.He was then thrust into a mega fight with AJ which made it look like that had comparable resumes. I think ‘gate keeper’ is slightly harsh at this stage because he still has real ambition, but I don’t think he was ever in the top crop of fighters
Hope you watched Parker vs Ruiz & Fury. Parker countered Ruiz nearly all the time. Fury did nothing to even close to win the fight except throw one weak punch or jab and then run the rest of the round and then thought he won the fight.
I watched them yeah. Although the Ruiz fight was on about about 7 am UK time and I was half asleep. Think I agree with you on the fury fight. I remember thinking noone really deserved to win. I hope Parker does well. Seems a good guy. Can see him coming into the ring in a Spiderman mask aswell. Embrace the gimmick. I am going to his next fight actually. More for Kal yafai , but interested in Parker’s fight
What is interesting is he has randomly been put on the Mikey Garcia card in Dallas next month. No opponent named yet. He should be fighting in England next if they want to drum up a fight against Dubois
Problem: Parker has no power at all. Tough to call but I think Dubois.
Parker is very tough. But not elite.
Dubois??? Who knows?? No live opponents yet. Lets see it
Interesting fight if it materialises.
In defence of Parker he has only lost twice and one of those could have gone to him vs the guy who Wilder has avoided. He also went 12 with AJ. HF is never a fighter where you’ll look impressive against.
I thought he would get a WBO shot ahead of the lower ranked Chisora but it seems not. As for Dubois , this is a massive step up but not to say that he can’t beat Parker and go on from there.
Yes, I think this fight should be very close, possibly going the distance. But I’d have to give a slight nod to Dubois, but wouldn’t be surprised if Parker pulled out a slim decision victory.
Good fight, some good young fighters coming up and Parker had his chances. This fight makes sense.
I tend to agree with Higgins that Parker is too much for Dubois at this time. I much prefer Dubois’s first test coming against fellow prospect Joe Joyce. Btw, this site hasn’t reported, but that fight seems a lock for April.
Dubois is still a baby, so there is no rush. However, he seems ready for a big step this year and assuming he’s as good as I think he is, his reign might start in 2021.
No doubt an interesting fight! Parker could chop up Dubios in the late rounds. FCS ! Dubios needs to be in at least 1 competitive fight before going in against the top 5 AJ, Ruiz, Wilder, Fury and Whyte. A great fight would be Dubios against Hrgovic. Joe Joyce is just going to take easy fights until he gets a title shot. Dubios easily beats Pulev and decisions the slapping dancer Hughie Fury.
Is this the same Higgins who thinks Parker should get a 70% split for a fight with Usyk? After that comment it is hard to take the man seriously. Give Du Bois just 12 months and I think he may well be ready to defeat Parker.
i rated parker big time in the early yrs of his path to h/w championship fights,but there was something missing and i still cant point out what it is he has a good chin tough as old boots with a lion heart and good hand speed….but im leaning toward more aggression needed to take him further….dont count him out….yet ha can turn his career around ,still think he would beat dubais ….but this is boxing anything goes…….
Parker looks like a different fighter now, looks like a fighter that lost interest in the sport. Very disappointing.
Too early for Dubois, he needs at least 3 more fights before stepping in with Parker.