Joseph Parker vs Michael Hunter in the works

Parker didn't have the hardest path to a title: Takam and Ruiz were the only significant obstacles and Parker had home/A-side advantage. Joyce is 37, hasn't won anything as of yet and just put a beating on Parker.

If ex-cruiser Wilson doesn't count as a heavyweight then neither does the ex-cruiser Massey that Parker just decisioned. So Parker's last heavyweight win was in 2021, Hunter's was 2020 the same month. Hunter hasn't lost since then, hasn't taken nearly as many hard shots and hasn't been KO'd.

My guess is Parker-Hunter will be highly competitive, I can see the odds being close. Maybe Hunter's gone downhill more than Parker: lack of discipline/motivation, age, wear, inactivity etc. But it's no forgone conclusion that he doesn't get into good condition and outbox Parker, who has never looked convincing against this level of opponent at any point in his career.

 

Hunter was very good when he fought Bakole, Kuzmin, Ustinov and Povetkin, but lately his career has been an absolute mess. If he gets back to that level of 4-5 years, ago, he will beat Parker.

 

I seen Hunter at the gym a few times in the last month, nice guy but you don’t really get the impression he trains for a big fight or that he’s a world ranked heavyweight. When I told my wife Hunter is one of the best heavyweights in the world right now she didn’t believe me.

Whoever comes in best shape and is more motivated will win, Parker actually looked ok in his last fight and fought with a decent pace so my vote is on him.

 

I know you're playing devil's advocate but Michael Hunter isn't Joe Joyce and he isn't Joseph Parker.

Michael Hunter has been a pro for 10 years and he's never won anything.

There's a reason for that.

I've never understood the Hunter hype on this board.

Joseph Parker has slid but he hasn't slid so far down that he loses to Michael Hunter, IMO.

We'll see.

I can't really get animated enough over either to argue about it.

 

They're both major underachievers relative to old expectations.


Parker’s professional career (simplified)

1. Highly competitive 12 round win over fringe contender Takam in NZ

2. Highly controversial 12 round win over fringe contender Ruiz in NZ for a vacant title

3. Lost several rounds over 12 against late replacement journeyman Cojanu in NZ

4. Highly controversial 12 round win over very young fringe contender Hughie in Britain

5. Lost meekly over 12 and surrendered his title to fellow belt holder AJ in Britain

6. Lost meekly over 12 to fringe contender Whyte in Britain, albeit in a controversial fight

7. Highly competitive 12 round win over sub-fringe contender Fa in NZ

8. Highly controversial 12 round win over warhorse fringe contender Chisora in Britain

9. Highly competitive 12 round win over warhorse fringe contender Chisora in Britain

10. Somewhat competitive 11th round KO loss to top contender Joyce in Britain

11. Lost several rounds over 10 against unheralded cruiserweight Massey in Britain

128 rounds completed over 11 fights against his best opponents; lots of experience but lots of wear and tear at 31, lacking motivation due to having been a belt holder, making a lot of money and consistently failing at a higher level. Four KD’s scored (one over an exhausted Whyte in the 12th, three over a shopworn Chisora) four received (Whyte x2, Chisora 1, Joyce), 0 KO’s, 8 wins and 3 losses but could easily be 5-6.



Michael Hunter Jr’s professional career (simplified)

1. 28 year old Hunter gets off to a fast start but is worked out, outboxed and battered late by cruiserweight champion Usyk in America. Hunter was counted in the 12th round, would have been stopped anywhere else in the world and is inactive for the next year

2. Immediately moves back up to heavyweight to avoid Briedis, Gassiev or an Usyk rematch

3. Gets two dominant wins over undefeated fringe contenders Bakole and Kuzmin

4. Fights a faded 40 year old Povetkin: Hunter gets off to a fast start in a back and forth contest but flags, Povetkin (a nearly-man of the previous era) takes over and is the better man in the last three rounds, Hunter gets a draw and is inactive for the next year

5. Talks begin to fight the inexperienced but avoided prospect Hrgovic for a mandatory position to challenge Joshua. Everything looks good but Hunter (lacking confidence after the Povetkin draw and prior loss to Usyk) gets cold feet and abruptly pulls out (citing “risk-reward”), alienating the boxing industry and the fans. He beats up a 38 year old, 2 year inactive, career cruiser journeyman featherfist for more money on Triller instead (originally intended to be on Jake Paul’s undercard)

6. Now 33 years old and in heavyweight no man’s land, Hunter openly considers a move to the nascent bridgerweight division to fight former amateur victim Rivas; a logical move for any 2nd rate cruiser who is too old or undisciplined to shed the pounds

7. Says that “I wish I could be his (Anthony Joshua’s) trainer”, indicating a lack of interest in fighting personally and a primary desire to make money

8. Rematches a journeyman (his 3rd journeyman in a row over 2 years) on a Triller card who he had shut out in his 5th pro fight: Hunter comes out looking flabby, goes life and death over 10, flags badly in the last three rounds and gets another draw

9. Is scheduled to fight fringe contender Hughie Fury on July 2nd but Hughie pulls out with an alleged illness. The fight is postponed to October 29th but 25 days out Hughie once again withdraws with an alleged illness, Hunter is inactive for more than another year

 

Hunter wins. He's a better fighter than Joseph Parker & always has been. He (almost) qualified for the Olympics in 2008 in the Super Heavy division (didn't go for some reason) & in 2012 at H/W (did go which Big Joe never did). So Hunter was better than Big Joe way back then. The only real question is whether he is still better more than a decade on? I think he is. Whoever's doing Parker's matchmaking for him should be fired. They keep taking fights with blokes he won't beat.

 

I don't see Hunter as being that great. He's just okay and now is old & inactive.

Parker has enough mileage to take this one by decision in a bad fight. Both of these guys are winding down.

 

Watchable fight that makes sense for Hunter as his career was going nowhere and this is a step up. Does nothing for Parker though and I expect him to win this. This one could have some great exchanges.

 

I doubt he can stop Parker to be honest, he doesn't hit nearly so hard or often as Joyce and it took 11 rounds for Joyce. I would pick Hunter by decision without hesitation but he was pretty bad and unmotivated last time out.

 

I would say watch the Forrest 2 fight, but they removed all evidence of the robbery. *Edit* Someone else saved the footage like I did! It’s back up on YouTube:

This content is protected

Hunter is done, as is Parker. One has been much more active than the other though. Hunter was so awful last time out he threw up in the corner. He was out on his feet at one stage against Forrest and was incredibly lucky to get the gift.

Even the awful Triller commentators said Hunter might lose, but it’s because of a bad camp, he was distracted etc etc - and that’s their fighter.

In saying that, 2023 Parker is spent. He’s done. He was never extremely motivated but he’s at an all time low now.

 

None of those three came remotely close to knocking him out though. If Hunter can pull it off then props to him, I just don't see it happening.

This fight definitely is make or break for both fighters careers though. I look forward to it.

 

Gotta give Parker some credit dude is staying active

 

The also-ran HWs can smell vacant belts in the near future so they're actually fighting each other to get in position.

 

If Parker has anything left he should take this easily.