Joseph Parker (30-3, 21 KOs) will probably be combating cruiserweight Jack Massey (20-1, 11 KOs) subsequent month on January twenty first on the AO Enviornment in Manchester, England.
This would be the first battle for former WBO heavyweight champion Parker, 30, since he was stopped within the eleventh spherical by the unbeaten Joe Joyce final September.
Parker took a beating by the 2016 Olympic silver medalist Joyce, so it’s not all that shocking that he’s choosing a lesser foe after what he went by way of in that contest.
Being matched in opposition to Massey provides Parker a very good probability of successful and looking out spectacular. It’s essential that Parker shine on this battle as a result of his profession has stalled out since dropping his WBO title to Anthony Joshua in 2018.
Not solely was Parker overwhelmed in that battle, however he additionally misplaced his subsequent match in opposition to Dillian Whyte the identical yr by combating passively till the twelfth spherical.
It was a winnable battle for Parker if he’d fought with some aggressiveness, however he waited till the twelfth spherical earlier than he confirmed a way of urgency and couldn’t pull it off.
After that defeat, Parker burned by way of the following 4 years of his profession, combating solely tune-up degree opposition, like journeyman Derek Chisora x 2, Alex Lepai, Alexander Flores, Shawndell Winters, and Junior Fa.
The 29-year-old Massey has received his final 4 fights since dropping to Richard Riakporhe by a 12 spherical unanimous resolution in 2019. For Massey to be combating Parker, he’s obtained to consider that there’s weak point there.
Parker vs. Massey will probably be happening on the undercard of the middleweight conflict between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam ‘Beefy’ Smith. One other fascinating battle on the cardboard is unbeaten cruiserweight fringe contender Richard Riakporhe (15-0, 11 KOs) battling former WBO champion Krzysztof Głowacki (32-3, 20 KOs).
“I used to be a bit shocked. They talked about all these different heavyweights, after which they talked about Jack Massey. He’s in all probability the one one that wishes to take the battle,” stated Joseph Parker to Boxing Social.
“He was really begging Boxxer, ‘Please give me a battle. Give me a heavyweight so I can battle in Manchester and battle in entrance of my house crowd.’
“He’s powerful, and he’s obtained balls. He’s clearly taking this problem. I feel he’s hungry to point out his individuals what he can do within the heavyweight division. I feel it’s going to be a tricky problem.
“He’s coming straight up for a high battle. It’s going to be a very good problem for each of us,” stated Parker.
Boxing Information » Joseph Parker faces Jack Massey on Jan.twenty first in Manchester, England