By Jeff Zimmerman
Fightnews.com® caught up with former WBO heavyweight champ Joseph Parker in an exclusive interview during media day Wednesday, as he is fighting on the stacked card headlined by a clash between Mikey Garcia and Jessie Vargas for the WBC Diamond welterweight title at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas and shown live on DAZN. The event is promoted by Eddie Hearn and his Matchroom Boxing.
What did you think of the Fury-Wilder fight?
I thought it was a great fight for Fury. I thought he came out and executed the plan he put in place before the fight. He said he was going to go forward, he said he was going to put a lot of pressure on Wilder, throw a lot of punches and that’s what he did. I think he set a good pace at the beginning of the fight. And I don’t think Deontay had Deontay’s fight as we all saw.
Were you surprised Fury pressed the action the whole time?
I was very surprised. I didn’t expect him to plant his front foot and chase him down. It just shows the confidence he had in himself and it was obvious he was practicing that in camp, and he was able to execute it and do it.
Did it seem Wilder was missing a plan B and didn’t have his legs from the beginning?
From Wilder, he’s quite a straight up person and if the uniform affected him, it probably did affect him. If you have something like that, that you’re carrying for a while it’s obviously going to make you a little tired. Maybe he can learn from that in the future and have a uniform that is not as heavy.
What has been your experience been with Fury?
I have been in camp and watched him spar numerous times. He’s one of a kind, not only with his height and his boxing ability and him as a character. He’s just one of a kind and he brings a lot of excitement to the division.
Are some forgetting your experience fighting the top fighters like Joshua, Ruiz and Whyte?
I have gotten some good experiences under my belt. I have had 28 fights now, 26 wins, 20 by knockout so I have had some good fights around the world. Even though I lost those fights to Joshua and Dillian Whyte, it was a close fight. Joshua was on points and Dillian Whyte could have gone either way. There was a lot that happened in the fight, so I still got a lot to give the heavyweight division in boxing.
Who’s the best heavyweight in Boxing today?
After myself. Tyson Fury. To be honest, he will go down as one of the best in our era. He’s a one of a kind fighter. Joshua and all the others are great fighters, but the number one that stands out to me and to everyone else is Fury. But Joshua is a great fighter as well, Dillian Whyte, Ruiz, all of them are great fighters, but I think Fury is just a step above.
What do you know about Shawndell Terell Winters, your opponent Saturday night?
Out of the 15 fights he has had, 12 by stoppage, a little bit of pop in his hands. I know he has a lot of confidence, he wouldn’t have taken this fight, if he didn’t think he would win. So, he is going to come with a lot of confidence, I’m looking forward to the challenge on what he is going to bring.
When do you hope to be fighting for a title again?
If everything goes well Saturday, I want to fight, I want to keep busy. I want to fight 3 times this year. At the end of the year, hopefully for a title, if not, next year for a title.
What big name out there would you like to fight next?
Anyone in the top 5, I don’t care who it is, give me anyone. I’m ready.
Would like to see him in with some top American hvwts
He has had some very “hometown” decisions. Only a top contender in his dreams.
Parker seemed like the guy to challenge AJ for supremacy, things have changed, Fury is in the mix and Klitschko retired. Parker, I’m sorry to say it seems to me like a trail horse, he’s slow, isn’t explosive and seems to lack passion. Of course, I’m wrong half the time.
Rwb, I’m curious who the top US Heavyweights you think Parker should fight? Beyond Wilder, there is a gap:
Maybe Big Baby Miller, but the stink of drugs is on him. Charles Martin? I try to avoid denigrating any boxer, but even with his win over Washington, I still think of him as a decent gatekeeper.
Anyway, I hope I’m missing someone, but right now the best Heavyweights seem to be from overseas.
Scott
Yeh, i pretty much agree with you. Most are pretty ordinary. But, if he is going to fight in the U.S. i think he deserves bigger and better. Not likely but, Ruiz, again, Wilder, or a little more likely kownacki, Martin, Ortiz., maybe i am missing someone else. maybe even A tranplanted upcoming hvwt from oversees that trains here??
Parker has all the tools to compete at the highest level and he’s still young, but I agree with those who think he needs a shake up in camp. Maybe, they can generate more of a killer instinct.
Very humble……best heavyweight today?….after me, Tyson Fury.
You know what Parker, stop using lame excuses like the spider bite to avoid the Chisora fight and some others to duck Usyk. Also, try to prove people wromg about the home decision against Ruiz, by rematching him. To say you are a better fighter than Fury is laughable. Even softened and badly beaten, you will be afraid to fight Wilder.
“after me”. Parker will be joking when he says this. In all interviews he says straight Fury is #1. Higgens & Barry are steering Parker away from fighting whoever, Parker has fought whoever they put in front of him. Hopefully Parker get more active in the USA.
“duck Usyk”. Usyk has been floating around not being active himself, who has he fought at heavyweight. Not sure why you want to slate Parker like you do?
Parker is too much of a nice guy. Wish he would get away from Higgens. And try a different trainer to Barry that would train him to fight more aggressively, like earlier in his career, but doubt this will ever happen.
If you go back look over the old UFCs from the 1990s, Parker in this pic looks like Kimo.
Yep, Kimo looks like Parker’s older, tougher brother.