If YOU were PARKER which route would you go?

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i) The IBF title shot will come after the WBA but before the WBO. (6 months in advance?)

ii) Hrgovic whilst dangerous and tipped for the future by many in the game, is somewhat of an unproven quantity in the pro ranks.

iii) Hrgovic would be an easier fight to make due to the Hearn connection.

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i) Money
Hrgovic is IBF #2 and Parker is IBF#3, according to the purse bid split rules, though they could be adjusted by the IBF, it would be 75%-25% for Hrgovic.

9.D. Purse Bid The two highest ranked available contenders in an eliminator and those contenders ordered to participate in a box off have the obligation to proceed to a purse bid if so ordered by the President. All of the procedures set forth in Rule 10 will govern the purse bid with the exception of §10B, “Minimum bids” and ¶10E, “Disbursement of Proceeds”. Proceeds of the purse bid for elimination bouts or box offs will be distributed as follows:
a. Boxer ranked #1 v. Boxer ranked #2 50% to each contestant

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c. Boxers ranked #3 or below v. boxer ranked #3 or below 60% to higher ranked boxer and 40% to lower ranked boxer

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So it looks like Parker would not be due 40% like many are suggesting, but 25%. So that's 25% of a fight where Parker is bringing in the majority of the eye balls.

ii) Once you beat Hrgovic what do you do in the interim whilst you wait for that title shot.

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It appears the IBF ranking boxlive had for December 13th (Hrgovic #2) is not in-line with that published on the IBF website on December 9th (#3). Until the IBF officially release their updated rankings, I am wrong on the split. If Hrgovic is #3 and Parker #4 it would be 60-40 in Hrgovic's favour.

IBF Rankings & Boxing Champions - Top 15 in Every Weight
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i) The WBO typically select their mandatory challenger as the bout approaches, they also use final eliminators to decide the challenger. Currently their #1 Joyce is somewhat there by default and is currently injured. Potentially Parker could beat another WBO ranked contender to displace Joyce as number one. The WBO may also call a final eliminator against Joyce. It is a bit of a gamble though, because the WBO have a crazy rule where they make allowances for rejecting a mandatory based on choice of television network of the champion.

ii) Money
Following on from the above these are the splits on a potential eliminator

SECTION 13 .(a)

(2) VACANT CHAMPIONSHIPS or ELIMINATORY FIGHTS

(A) In fights for a vacant title or eliminatory fights (except in the case
where one of the contestants is a Super Champion in which case the
Super Champions provision for purse bid division shall apply) the
distribution shall be as follows:

(B)

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(C)

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USA Residents shall be
considered of the same country of residence, regardless of which
State they reside in for Purse Bid purposes.​

So it would seem Parker could be due 60%, 50% or 40% in an eliminator bout. And Joyce is a far bigger draw than Hrgovic.

iii) An eliminator is likely not going to be called until after Joyce recovers and preceding the WBO title shot, so that gives Parker some flexibility on what fights he makes at the moment.

iv) He was the former WBO champion. Loyalty might play a factor in this.

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i) Joyce is a known quantity in the pro-ranks and a dangerous opponent for anyone.

ii) The potential title shot will come after the IBF, does Parker want to wait an extra 6 months or so for his turn?

iii) Joyce is with Warren. If Fury get's hold of the WBO title, the WBO might make let their champion choose Joyce as a mandatory.

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(note: This is just my breakdown of what I think is going on. Feel free to disagree)

 

I can respect your position, but the reality is the fighters want to get paid, so it one of the pros and cons they will no doubt consider. It's unfortunate for Hearn, Sauerlands and Hrgovic, but they will have to pay more to get opponents in the ring who have better options available to them. It's not a case of IBF says jump and the fighters say how high?

Personally I would prefer to see Joyce v Parker. In a perfect world we would get Hrgovic v Parker and Joyce v Parker, but that's an unrealistic expectation.

Whilst I have no issue with Parker going the WBO route. I also feel that the IBF should drop from their rankings any fighter that is rejecting the Hrgovic final eliminator, that includes Parker.