I think it's more Zhang's power and sharpness that were the problem. I thought even before the Zhang fights that Joyce's gameplan of soaking up everything the opponent throws at him and eventually wear him down with his size, strength and workrate was too basic and was always going to be found out sooner or later.
Parker for me. He's only just turned 32 and now looking better than ever. Zhang will be 41 in May and time waits for nobody. I think the Joyce wins flatter him a little also as Joyce looks completely over the hill himself at 38.
This. People are putting a heck of a lot of stock in Zhang considering he's only beaten one fighter inside the top 100... Joyce is decent enough, but he was getting hyped pretty hard at the time, too. Especially given he's quite slow and at an age where things could go downhill fast. Zhang's not a nobody, but he's the current lineal hypejob - I'm not willing to start banking on him until he's proven a bit more.
As opposed to what, though? Both Parker and Zhang have hypejobs as their signature win - good fighters, but massively overrated at the same time. The difference is Parkers actually got some depth below that... Zhang has only a 50/50 (officially a loss, could've gone either way) against Hrgovic and after that absolutely nothing worth talking about whatsoever (no others inside the top 100) - it's all very well sneering at Parker having a couple of L's and a few close fights with fringe contenders like Whyte and Ruiz, but Zhang doesnt have anything comparable to those at all.
Zhang has two main weaknesses; lack of stamina and slow feet. I think Parker is capable of exploiting both; if he gets on his bike early, and applies pressure in the later rounds, then he has a real chance IMO.
Congratulations on your 300th video Rummy! They are always clear, concise, well thought out and much appreciated. I agree with basically everything you said, but am leaning towards Parker by a hair, say 60/40. Very much looking forward to this one!
Parker will be very confident and motivated for this fight after beating Wilder. He's back in the game and it's all or nothing for him. His whole career and further life depend on this fight.
This is my general view. Moreover, if Zhang is such a top HW, why wasn't it until his late 30s that he started facing opponents with a pulse. Was he unfairly avoided that much? Bad management? His early to mid career is full of dreadful opposition with awful records. Parker's record has, as you state, more depth. I still think it's a difficult fight to call. I'm pulling for Joe because I feel a closer connection to him... and he has some quality years left.
@Rumsfeld you've gotten me way more interested in this fight than I was before I watched your video. Thank you for that and congrats on 300!
Oh, yes you can, actually! 1-1 start to the year. Got a feeling you got another winning streak in store