Joseph Parker... a meaningless fight for Usyk?

The difference is...

Parker already brings legacy value as a former world champion, long term contender and also well proven to come back from setbacks to work his way back up again.

Kabayel is different - not only has he never even been in a title fight, he's only actually fought one consensus contender (and even then, Zhang is both old enough to be father time's grandpappy AND has a very mixed record against anyone remotely good), the definitive gatekeeper, a couple of hypejobs not proven to be anything beyond journeymen and a carousel of bums that even peak Wilder wouldn't think were worth fighting.
And on top of that... Not only has he got a mega thin resume, but he has previously hit a career high and then wasted years and years afterwards - who's to say he'll actually WANT to build a resume this time around?


If all you say actually happens, sure, it'd turn out to be a good legacy win... But after Kabayel lost to Usyk, if he then lost again or fought nobodies for a while he could easily fall off the face of the map - and what legacy value does he have then? Very, very little, IMHO.

Sure, you can say Usyk could/should fight him just in case he goes on to do something - and when there aren't any better options maybe he will... But Parker IS that much better option, at least first in line.


And you're right that the low number of opponents on Usyks resume will probably be held against him in the long run, at least when ranking the ATG's... It probably would even with both Parker and Kabayel on there, too.
It's just interesting that the extremely low number of worthy opponents on Kabayel's resume sometimes seems to get ignored when making the case for him to be anywhere near first in line.

 

Whilst true... A better, more proven fighter certainly adds a lot more than a highly hyped guy who might be at a similar level (or not).

 

No way is fighting Parker a meaningless bout. He's a deserving top contender in a rapidly thinning field of HWs

 

It's not a meaningless fight if Usyk loses.
Parker is a former HW champion, and has a more than solid resume.
It's certainly not a meaningless fight because Usyk could build on his legacy and resume ((he is credited with 6 major wins against only 3 opponents).

 

I think he beats Parker comprehensively, but Parker is the most deserving and on paper actually adds more than anyone else. Ex world champion, wins over Wilder, Zhang and Bakole, fought at the highest level for many years. However, Parker has an asterisk. His best wins come over overhyped, overaged or out of condition fighters. His world title win was, I think, a homer. For me Ruiz won that night. He has losses to fighters Usyk has beaten, and a fighter you'd bet the house on him beating.

Now, lets process this. This guy, with the above caveats, is the most deserving and for me, Usyk beats Kabayel as easily as he will beat Parker. The division without an in form AJ, Fury or even Dubois looks rather bereft. The cupboard is bare. I hope Usyk gives Joe his shot, both are honourable and decent men so it would be good to see. I hope he then beats Kabayel and goes on to have some fun 'Turki' fights in his forties and retires with more wealth than he could ever have dreamed of.

 

Unfortunetly , sad to say , this discussion is meaningless because usyk will keep on avoiding both of them . Parker would immediately fight usyk , kabayel would immediately fight usyk , anytime and everywhere.
Its usyk and nobody else who runs away from this fights

When usyk is that good he should just face and beat them both .

Will unfortunetly not happen .

 

It's not meaningless if the paycheck will be over $50M.

 

Parker is full of PEDs, he built that insane size to match the giant heavyweights. Though, he lacks skills to dance with Usyk. He lost to Whyte, Ruiz Jr and AJ, which tells a lot about his skills. Beating 600 years old Zhang and a shot Wilder means nothing.

Usyk won't fight Parker/Kabayel if the paycheck is less than 3rd Fury/AJ fights. Not that he's scared of them, he just wants the biggest paydays.

 

Who is gonna put that money up?

 

He's the current top contender and he's still only 33, who says he doesn't beat Dubois, rematch AJ and win (probably not.), beat Kabayel who also goes on to do well, or Itauma etc etc etc.

 

Nobody.

 

Exactly

Poor Joe is the contender no promotion wants to use in the current climate

 

Did Usyk steal your Girl or something??

 

Unfair characterisation of Zhang. He had/has huge strengths as well as weaknesses. He was likely avoided plenty by other heavies.