Why is Parker such a heavy favourite over Wardley?

Parker is more battle proven than Wardley. Although Wardley is dangerus it’s not hard to figure out why Parker is the favorite.

 

Because he's quite a bit better.

 

Parker has by far the better resume, showing heart against a British level Frazer Clarke in a 12-round war, which is not the same as climbing off the canvas against Zhang, one of the biggest hitters in the division. Wardley is very limited, the Huni fight proved that, if he didn't land a punch from the gods, he was on course to lose that fight 120-108.

Wilder was a 1/6 favourite going into the Parker fight, and few people picked Parker to win. Everyone said Wilder was shot after it because Parker actually took it to him, and Wilder cannot fight on the back foot. Strangely enough, I do think Wardley is going to win because Parker is too eager to take on the biggest names, but Wardley is not some killer either and I totally understand why Joe is such a heavy favourite. It also wouldn't surprise me if Parker won every round.

 

Skills

 

Wardley is the worst HW titlist of the 4 belt era except Stiverne. Was losing to Huni before getting bailed out by his power.

I think Parkers overrated by some but he deserves to be the heavy favorite here. Like when people think Usyk and Dubois are ducking him because hes this unique threat yeah hes being overrated. Saying he deserves a title shot more than Kabayel yeah hes being overrated. Thinking hes on another level than Wardley? Nope thats fair.

I'd probably put Wardleys chances of winning more in the 9-10% area. 18% is a little high.

Wilder is quite a bit past it and still I think he beats Wardley at this point. Wouldn't be easy but I think he does it.

 

The odds favour Parker because he is strongly favoured to win.

Wardley was absolutely schooled for 9 rounds and nearly stopped by Huni. It was an embarrassing beat down and Wardley knows it. What's that going to do for his confidence? It also provided Lee and Parker the perfect blueprint to beating Wardley. Unless Parker does something really stupid he should win this easily.

 

Parker reminds me of Dillian White in his run for a title. Whyte picked up wins against Parker, Browne, Helenius, Chisora, Allen, Wach, Rivas before slipping up against Povetkin. Like Parker, Whyte was a little frozen out of the picture due to less risk vs reward fights available for the Joshua/Fury. Also like Whyte, Parker is a banana peel waiting to happen, he has shown improvement but only against medicore opposition in which he didn't look amazing.

I am picking Wardley for that reason, and by KO. He won't let Parker off the hook when he gets him hurt. I would pick parker in a rematch though.

 

It's easy to pick at Parker's resume considering he has fought just about everyone. You can't win them all and be expected to put on a punch perfect performance every time. Let's not forget that Parker is also a former world champion. Not really that crazy that a former world champion would be the favorite over a guy whose best win is against a prospect in Justis Huni who was dominating the fight.

In saying all that I am not counting Wardley out he is a strong tough hard hitting fighter. Parker is on a good run but sometimes a good run comes to an end when you are consistently fighting dangerous good fighters.

 

More and better real skills and a wealth of experience. Wardley's only advantage is the punch.

 

Wardley is clearly more athletic with deceptive hand speed that will pose problems for Joe. Wardley could barely handle Huni but that win is probably going to age well

 

If his hand speed was all that then he wouldn't be struggling in domestic level fights.

 

I think Wardley catches Parker late in fight. Wardley won’t worry about his gas tank like Zhang. He will be pushing the fight for 12 rnds and unlike Wilder , he will take two punches to land his one.

Parker will have to punch and move for 12 rnds. Something he has a problem doing.

 

Parker will have to punch and move until Wardley can't take any more. Huni is hardly a big puncher and he nearly put Wardley away FFS. Parker will.