Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker plans to throw his weight around against Jack Massey as he looks to get himself back into title contention in Manchester on Saturday night. “I’m going to smash him,” Parker said of his looming bout with Massey, an elite cruiserweight who will be stepping up to heavyweight for the first time.
“He’s got big balls I’ll give him that,” said Parker. “But there are divisions in boxing for a reason. I’m going to be the bigger man. I’m going to fight like the bigger man, back him up and push him back. I’m going to make him think about if he really wants to be in the heavyweight division.”
Parker had the chance to eyeball local hero Massey at an open workout at Manchester’s Trafford Centre Shopping Complex on Wednesday.
It was the first time the pair have crossed paths since they rubbed shoulders at a training camp at Tyson Fury’s gym that also featured fellow Kiwi David Nyika.
While Massey is considered durable and tough, he isn’t expected to trouble Parker.
“Let’s face it, if I lose I will be way down [the standings]. It will be like ‘where is Joseph Parker?’ I’ll be out of the picture,” the Kiwi admitted.
Defeat is not, however, something he is genuinely contemplating.
“I’m in great shape. I’m ready to go. When I’m sleeping well and feeling good I am dangerous. I’ve put in the work, made the sacrifices, because I know what it takes to win.”
Awesome, another attempt at title contention. The world can’t wait.
Parker took a career altering beat down from the juggernaut in his last fight , let’s see how he looks.
Ok.. Parker is fighting a
mid-level cruiserweight.
Not so interesting, but ok..
It has always been frustrating to watch a fighter with the right tools to go far, but that also lacks a set of gonads.With the super heavyweights dominating the scene until the arrival of Usyk, Parker had a shot, but his commonality with the cowardly lion hampered Amy progress.
He should win this fight, but unfortunately, that’s about all we’ll hey from Joey the nice guy.
Parker is shot, but he should win this by Split decision. However that’s as good as it gets for the kiwi.
Yep, totally agree.
Probably but he might have slipped enough for this guy to beat him.
Parker had great potential, but that’s where he stayed, he never went beyond a boxer with potential. He has just become more and more sluggish, running out of ideas in a fight, as his career went on.
Parker never really lived up to his potential, he is done.
I agree with everyone Parker looked the part early on but leveled out quick. He’s likely a gate keeper at best at this point.
when was the last time Parker smashed someone, lot of promise early in his career but that fizzled out a while back
Jeez, you guys give Parker a break.
He’s still making a go of it.
Lol. Nah, it’s over brother. That plant bared fruit for one season only.