USYK vs Parker... the ONLY Fight that matters now !!!

Kabayel has over 3x the HW wins as Usyk who is being called by some the GOAT.

Parkers done more because he got oppurtunities Kabayel wasn't given. I'm not saying Kabayel deserved a title shot in 2016 more than Parker. While they were regional champs Parker was further along at that time. But Kabayel had to wait an additional 8 years to get his first title shot which he won. Parker became a champion in 2016 and hes lost 3 times since then. All 3 losses to guys who are not regarded the highest today in AJ, Whyte and Joyce. Parker also came much closer to losing to Zhang.

Sanchez is probably the most relevant win either man has in 2025 even though he hasn't fought for a belt hes the best HW either has fought in the year 2025. Hes probably better than AJ.

Parker might have accomplished more but the L column exists.

 

It's not Parker's fault Kabayel didn't take more opportunities. It's easier to keep your zero when you're not fighting top opposition, which Joyce, Whyte and AJ were when Parker faced them in their backyard.

 

I'd like to see him take on both Parker and Kabayel before he hangs em up. I don't think either give him much trouble, but it's a hell of a lot better than seeing him fight some guys we've already seen him in the ring with.

 

Its not Parkers fault but Kabayel wasn't offered them. They are a finite thing that have been made more finite by the behavior of this eras champions. Joshua was a huge part of that and Parker was the only top guy of his generation he gave a chance to and actually beat.

 

Kabayel has spent years crushing bums until recently, he could have 100-0 record against paid off journeymen, why does that matter at all

 

Parker is trash, rather see Kabayel.

 

The WBO are meeting to discuss the situation with Usyk this week.

Parker is the WBO's own interim champion. If they don't install Parker as Usyk's mandatory, what is the point of the interim title? Is it just a sanctioning fee money grab?

It's a farce if the WBO don't call for Usyk-Parker.

 

Its Kabayel's fault he didn't go for the opportunities, if you aren't from the US or UK you have to make your own opportunities and take riskier fights and worse paydays to get them. Kabayel preferred to take easy fights at home, where as Parker went on the road, took the risks and gave up money to get into the position he is in.

Only Saudi money could entice Kabayel to actually take some risks for once.

 

Well parker was lucky to get the nod against ruiz. And then see how long it took ruiz to resurface as a lucky step in for miller against joshua.

I think getting the title was really helpful for parker as he got the chance to show himself against joshua (first one not to get knocked out) which made it easier for him to get more fights against popular opposition.

Now look at kabayel who did not get the chance and thus always was a way less attractive opponent from a risk-reward perspective. Chisora tried it, probably to rise in the rankings and payed for it. Do you not also think kabayel would have at least survived against joshua? Also not speaking english properly doesn't help your chances of selling yourself.

The whole narrative of 'kabayel didn't do enough to now be considered over parker and it is his own fault' should be dropped. Parker had more fights and thus won AND LOST more. You could also pull out his mediocre showings against junior fa and others where I mostly remember him fouling (i was quite surprised because I had a different view of him before and he didn't do it as much after)

Both are on the same level and if they fought, there would be as much money on parker as on kabayel. Mine personally would rather be on kabayel.

And also let's be honest - the most interesting fights right now are not against usyk, because all of them lose against him. The most interesting fights are dubois-parker, dubois-kabayel and parker-kabayel. Gladly mix fury in. Let 2-5 fight each other and 6-10. Some of the winners should challenge usyk.

 

Nothing was stopping Kabayel stepping up against other high risk opponents at the time. Parker risked his zero against AJ, lost and immediately went in against another top ten opponent in Whyte before losing and going through a proper rebuild. Kabayel was content fluffing around with low risk fights.

It's disingenuous to suggest they're on the same level when their resumes are miles apart. Parker has well and truly earned his shot and he's taken every fight that's come his way no matter how risky.

And I'm not discounting Kabayels ability, but he needs to start fighting better opponents before he gets his shot. Zhang was a good start.

 

If I had a magic wand, Usyk would fight 3 more times

Parker
Kabayel
Itauma

He would have essentially wiped out 3 generations of top heavyweights if he won all 3

 

My problem with Kabayel…
Parker was supposed to fight Dubois which then would have resulted in a shot against Usyk. Dubois didn’t fight but got the fight nonetheless, so it has been pretty clear by default that the next shot is with Parker.

To position himself as future champion - instead of waiting for his 0.1% shot with Usyk taking him over Parker, he should have organised another fight with a Top10 HW, because a win against someone like Hrgovic/Okolie/Whyte or even Bakole would absolutely cement him has champion contender. Instead he waited so this makes me think that even of one day he may become champion, he will be someone who will avoid risky fights. I dont think in any of his fights bookmakers saw him behind the opponent event for the Zhang fight markets were pricing a Kabayel victory… at this stage Kabayel needs to take risks

 

Usyk could fight Parker, but he could also retire. There's always going to be a Parker or a Kabayel justifying their shot. Usyk has nothing left to prove and could bow out on a high. Parker-Usyk isn't a fight that matters, I'm a huge fan of Joe and he's been on a great run but he doesn't have a chance in hell at beating Usyk, it's a total mismatch, the Kayabel fight is also a mismatch. Nobody beats Usyk.

 

Cmon, man. You why that is.

 

Well I see it differently. Both fights you mentioned were money fights for parker. And he didn't try to win them to the extent one could have expected.He was very safety first against joshua and against Whyte he stayed in the same gear all fight...

The question is if kabayel didn't 'try to step up' or if whyte and joshua would have actually given him the chance at all. Which I assume is a no. Because parker was a bigger name at that point and that is why he was picked as an opponent.

You could turn it around which is more realistic: Joshua and Whyte could have given the chance to Kabayel, too. But someone young winning against chisora didn't really fit the profile of a fighter that was feeding off 40 year olds most of the time, I assume