Yes phil that wouldn't stop anyone worth their salt. It was a total stinker of a match from both. Joshua knew that was all that was needed and the onus was on Parker to do something and he just couldn't find his bollocks to 'roll the dice'. Joshua gets stick but he has a lot more heart than most of these so-called contenders.
Far too early for Itauma. He hasn't been past 6 rounds. He hasn't fought anyone who has really laid it on him, or even put up a concerted effort to fight back, and he hasn't fought anyone who does something different to just backing up and leting Itauma walk them down. He's had everything go his own way in his career so far, so putting him in with someone who world class fighters struggle against and rarely have success against is beyond stupid.
We've seen nothing from Ituma that he gets anywhere near Usyk he's fought largely stationary targets. He looks fast accurate and with that comes the KO's but Usyk will be dancing rings around him then walk him onto something.. levels to this game. Moses needs a few learning fights he needs to come through a struggle.
Not unless it's a worked / fixed fight, whereby Paul's team have Joshua sign a contract stating that he has to pull his punches or just not try, or something to that effect. (Remember in Paul's fight with Tyson when Tyson landed one good shot in the first round, and Paul was whispering in Tyson's ear immediately afterwrds, probably telling Tyson not to stray from the script.) To this end, Jake Paul is basically the present day Emperor Commodus.
How is it interesting when Itauma has 0 wins against any top 20 Heavyweight currently ? What's interesting about putting a green prospect in against an ATG champion ? Parker is a far more interesting fight and deserves his shot.
So you think putting a prospect in with an ATG who has no relevant wins against even a top 20 Heavyweight ? Is a better fight than top ranked contender Parker who's beaten 3 top 10 Heavyweights in a row ? "Jesus wept" to your logic.
No such thing as a fight being too early, that is promoter BS to protect an asset. He has had 20 fights and is a grown man. He can fight for another 4 years knocking over 10 cream puffs reaching 30-0 and he is probably less ready than he is now. Maybe the motivations starts to drop because it’s all too easy for him. Athletes peak at different stages. Those that achieve notoriety at a young age at a sport like Moses has, often peak earlier. I say get Itauma in now with Usyk as he may surprise a lot of people. No one has any other name out there who is going to potentially test Usyk.
We all know Parker is zero threat to Usyk. We know how he fights. We know he doesn’t bang. It’s a sparring session for Usyk. Also Parker would struggle to sell out a telephone booth.
lol wilder was old and shot to bits and didn’t throw a punch. Parker still couldn’t put him down. One flurry in the entire match Zhang was gassed after a few rounds. Still got dropped twice and won only just. Zhang was 40+ Bakole was fat and on two days’ notice, having come off three flights, zero sleep, and wearing Dubois’ gloves. context doesn’t like your logic
Parker was a big underdog vs Wilder. Zhang was seen as the most dangerous puncher in the division. Parker was originally going to fight Dubois but he pulled out so he found the next best available opponent in Bakole. You can find ways to discredit Parker all you want the fact is Itauma has proved nothing at world level he hasn't even beaten a fringe contender level type opponent yet. And yet somehow you think Itauma who hasn't beaten a Heavyweight inside the top 20 is more worthy and a interesting fight ? Context doesn't like your "logic"
How do we know Parker is zero threat to Usyk ? he's certainly a more interesting fight then and a green prospect who hasn't beaten anyone. You know how he fights ? he fought aggressively on the front foot vs Wilder ? and scored a 1 punch stoppage over Bakole ? Itauma has a boring personality aswell ? so what's your point ?
He hasn't had 20 fights ? he's had 12 fights ? He doesn't have to fight creampuffs for 4 years ? just start fighting a ranked top 20 Heavyweight would be a start and then move on to the top 10. How do you know Itauma is at his peak at 20 ? he hasn't fought anyone of note ? and most adults take time to grow into their bodies after the age of 21. Putting Itauma in with Usyk now would be ridiculous.....Itauma hasn't even beaten a top 20 Heavyweight. And it would be a farce to put a green prospect with no world class experience who isn't ranked in the top 10 against Usyk.