There has never been a better time for Parker to upset Wilder

- Wilder is 38, has been KO’d twice in his last three fights (suffering six KD’s) and has contested just one round in the previous 26 months (having made tens of millions and been a 5 year reigning champion from 2015-2020)

- Parker is 31 and is 3-0 in 2023, on a two fight KO streak

- Parker is trained by Lee (who served as a cornerman for Fury in Wilder 2 and Wilder 3) and is close friends with Fury, both of whom will provide Parker with intel on how to beat Wilder

- Under Lee’s sustained tutelage, Parker was significantly more tenacious in the Chisora rematch and his loss to Joyce than he’d been in the first Chisora fight or his losses to Joshua and Whyte

- Given the fact that neither Fury or Ortiz beat Wilder on points over five fights, Parker is far less likely to attempt a suicidal pointfighting strategy than he would have been pre-2018

- Now beaten three times, beltless, no longer un-KO’d and a wide underdog (who Wilder may be looking past), Parker has little weight of expectation, nothing to lose and much to gain

- Wilder has the pressure of his boxing career potentially being ended, whereas Parker can go on as a gatekeeper

- As the co-main fighter with longtime rival and potential opponent Joshua on the biggest boxing card of the year, fighting a notable former Joshua opponent, Saudi debutant Wilder is under pressure to produce a spectacular KO, preferably early, which could play into Parker’s hands

 

If you keep routing for the underdog you are going to be right at least one time at some point.

Still Wilder W KTFO3

 

I don't think the facts in the OP will make a difference to the result but there can be no excuses for Parker if Wilder wins. Wilder is the one who faces an uphill battle in terms of "prime" and "timing of the fight".

 

A better time would have been before he almost got bludgeoned to death

 

Wilder was 36 rather than 38 and far less inactive back then so I don't agree and Parker's coming off consecutive KO wins as well as a lot of activity now, whereas he was coming off three consecutive 12 rounders going into the Joyce fight. Parker getting KO'd by Joyce could also help him as he may be less likely to go into survival mode given his KO virginity has already been taken. But that last point is more speculative.

Perhaps Parker would be even better placed to beat Wilder in 1-2 years but I think this is a better time for him than any in the past.

 

Story of Parker's career - to content to lose against Whyte and Joshua and didn't really go for it. That being said, Parker fought with more desire + bravery to win against Joyce, so I have some hope that he will put in a brave performance. I don't think even that is enough though - he isn't slick enough to avoid Wilder's RH all fight so he needs his chin to hold up, which I very much doubt.

 

Parker isn't doing anything unfortunately.

 

2020 forum poll: Parker 19, Wilder 11

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/wilder-vs-parker-who-wins.645151/

The forum gurus predicted a comfortable win for Parker, over a younger and more active Wilder. Parker's excellent resume will block Wilder's right hand.

 

I expect Lee to tell him to fight him. He had that mindset himself when asked about the GGG fight, saying he'd just train for a shootout. With Wilder it's even more obvious to do this as he KO's everyone who tries to box him anyway.
Whether Parker does that or not on the night we can't say.
If he does do it, it will make an interesting fight and does give him a chance.
Nobody is surprised if Wilder lands and gets the KO, even the first few times Parker tries to close the distance.
That's also funny as Parker is one of AJ's big wins.

 

Parker just let Joshua take his title. I've never seen such a meek defence.

 

It was bad, a "happy just to be there, survive and get paid" performance. He showed more tenacity against Chisora 2 and Joyce though.

 

So Parker has had a heart transplant? Ok now he has a chance for sure.

 

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How tall is Parker again?

 

I would argue there's never been a better time for Wilder to KO Parker. I think JP could have troubled him before his chin got cracked.