If Joseph Parker had a bit more Mongrel in him he'd be no.1 Heavyweight.

Good point, James

 

He’s got a better resume than fury though.

 

I think it's fair to point out that Parker's a fair bit younger than the 3 other fighters who make up the clear top 4 in the division right now.

Feels like he's been around forever, but he's still only 32 - not past prime yet.

Joshua is getting on for 3 years older than him.
Fury is 4 years older.
Usyk is 5 years older.


Yes, you can argue these guys are a bit past their absolute best for varying reasons, but Usyk and Fury look likely to exit the stage before long...
Yes Joshua's probably still going to be there for a while yet, but between Joshua and Parker they're likely to have a bit of a stranglehold over the division for a few years whilst younger prospects come through, or some of the older prospects find their balls (or get found out).

 

I think the "new" Parker gives AJ problems

Could win the rematch

 

I've never been one that's questioned whether he has enough "Mongrel" in him. His problem for me was always an issue of being countered. Like most speedsters he'd lead, get off first but doesn't know how to avoid the counter which is why Ruiz gave him so many problems. It's hard to lead when you know your going to be countered and people mistake that more not having that dog in them. Few fighters just accept walking into shots to take shots and Parker was never trained that way, it's hard to overcome muscle memory and ingrained patterns of fighting.

What's changed is his defence. He still doesn't know how to counter punch off his defence but now his defence is better. He used to move to just get out of the way, he used to move his head to again just to get out of the way. That would put him in a defensive posture where his opponents could just walk him down and he'd have to wait until they stopped to set his feet to throw again. Now when he moves his feet or head it's to create positions and head slots to punch back. If he can just make that final connection and turn that into a quick counter punch he'll hit another level. The best of Parker maybe yet to come.

 

You nailed it, BB.

That may be the Parker we've all been waiting for

 

excellent analysis.

I also think he needs to be lighter. He needs to be 15-20 lbs lighter IMO.

 

Absolutely spot on, not that that's too unusual.

Waiting for OP to play the "but but but that doesn't contradict what I mean by mongrel" - then run away without explaining what they actually mean (again)


I think it's fair to say that Joe Parker is a bit like AJ in the sense that he's not a natural/instinctive boxer - he's been trained to box and is clever enough to process the situations he comes up against without being an Usyk level mental juggernaut...
And that means he's still learning, still improving his craft and can bounce back from obstacles because he knows how he got where he is, and can learn and be taught to overcome his deficiencies.

And that's why the fact he's only 32 with very little of note coming up behind him means that the improvements I agree he's likely to make could well allow him to dominate the division for a while (though I'm still unconvinced he can avenge the AJ loss, I think he could make it more competitive if they rolled it back).

 

Parker was a bit over-awed in the first AJ fight

I like his chances now

 

Usyk has said repeatedly he's not ready to retire, but good points about the age.

 

I put Parker as #2 in the world and Joshua as #3, as Parker has the much higher recent wins.

Let's see them go. Two good guys, and I by no means count Parker out.

He'll that could end up being a terrific rivaly.

 

Usyk's an unusual case... He might not be ready to retire, or he might just be denying it to deny Fury (and possibly 1-2 more opponents, possibly not) a mental advantage in thinking he's aged and tired.

Wouldn't be at all surprised for him to be talking about fighting on right up until after he whips Fury again - then just retire anyway.

 

I’d say he has that now, it’s just a matter of seeing what he can do, proving himself against all opposition.

 

I absolutely do not see it this way. But hey, maybe you're right.

 

I think he might take one or two big money fights after Fury... Possibly just AJ3, as that's the biggest cash fight in the division.

But that would probably be the end of it - I don't think he's going to fight on to 40+.

Whatever he does, I don't expect him to mention wanting to retire in the runup to any fight - he'll just do it, at a time when there's nothing scheduled.