Thats what I find disappointing about Parker is that he was warned about the low blows and continued to do it. I can barely remember now but I think the body shots just before the second knockdown was fair. The ref was a kiwi but he's not a bad ref. Equally as disappointing was that Parker didn't really show anything new other than just low blows. I love the knockout win but would've love to see a more polished defensive display and some counter punching.
The shots that set up the KO weren't exactly Golota-esque, but they were definitely below the belt line, and after a ref warns you to keep them up then you need to stay out of that area for a while. Seems Parker knew he could get away with it so he just ignored the warning. At any rate, this wasn't really a fight that told us anything new. Until we start to see real fundamental changes in Parker's game he'll always be someone who struggles at the top level.
The low blow in this fight and Tevin Farmer having recently fought against Fonseca reminds me of Fonseca's other loss to Gervonta Davis where he lost by KO via illegal blows to the back of the head, the 2nd punch was also whilst Fonseca was already on the canvas. I was surprised when the ref called it a KO win waiving off the fight instead of taking points away from Davis and giving Fonseca some time to recover or calling the fight a No Contest or a DQ. The broadcaster didn't mention it either as obviously Davis is supposed to be the next superstar and gets the special treatment. 21:13 below: This content is protected
In rugby speak we were always taught to play to the whistle. To have Flores stand up chin exposed waiting for a call from the ref was an amateur move, and rightly so Parker made him pay for it. Yes they were belt line punches, not extremely low, but low nonetheless. Flores should have wrapped up Parker, and complained while in the clinch. Those calling for a NC or DQ are dreamers.
