NEW - Face Off - WILDER vs PARKER

It's a fascinating crossroads matchup and loser might should retire. Wilder is as old and inactive now as Holmes when he fought Tyson, difference being he has kept himself in better shape.

Parker also is very shopworn but is a live dog in this fight. Won't be surprised by either outcome, but *someone* is getting KTFO. Love or hate Wilder, he's going to give or receive a KO and that's why his fights are must-watches.

 

I hope you’re right mate, but I fear his chin is done against big punchers. I’m not sure Parker can take half of the right hands that Szpilka laughed off…

 

Took Joyce 11 rounds to grind him down when he was sitting there eating punches. You don't go from that to losing in the first round, hell even Whyte's paper chin held until 6 against Fury and that was cracked long ago.

 

You can tell Wilder is very confident when he starts regurgitating sophomoric axioms and whispering. Would’ve helped Parker if he could unsettle him but he doesn’t have the gift of gab.

 

Respectfully, I don't believe comparing Joyce and Wilder is a fair representation of what Parker is up against.

Joyce is an accumulative war horse, he breaks you down with a relentless, thumping jab and the occasional power shot when he sees an opportunity. Somewhat repetitive, but methodical. Wilder on the other hand is very unorthodox and creates opportunities out of nothing due to his very off-balanced style and self-awareness of his limited skillset - he doesn't punch in accumulation, he knows he has a fight-changing punch and the arrogance to go with it (which isn't a bad thing).

Parker sits too upright at times and gets complacent at range, admiring his work far too much. Compare that to a Szpilka who continued to fight inside after landing shots, nullifying the distance that Wilder requires to land his nukes.

Against someone like Joyce, if you stay at range and the end of the punch, you get peppered with thumping jabs, against Wilder that makes you a sitting duck for his one gift. I've always said Wilder is a one-trick pony and is very beatable, however, his style aligns very well with a dormant Parker. Parker needs to move, set up with the jab and gain Wilders's respect. The worst thing Parker can do is believe he can win this fight on points, he needs to stop Wilder and stop him early. Wilder has an awful tendency to bow his head on the inside, which is great for Parker's new and improved uppercut - the punch that has rejuvenated his punching power against people with chins on par with Wilders. However, Parker needs to punch his way in to create that opportunity, like Szpilka did.

 

Look for Parker to do exactly that: hang at mid to long range.

 

Even taking that into account I'd rate Parker's chin high enough to survive a couple of knockdowns especially early. He'll also have the advantage of training in Fury's camp. My biggest concern is how heavy Parker comes in at because mobility will be key for getting inside and countering that leathal right hand.

 

Some great value bets on the TAB

 

He has taken price to time out and will savor his fare on tomorrow's eve.