Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker to happen soon?
What is it?
The heavyweight division in Professional boxing today is very interesting. The four Major boxing sanctions bodies i.e IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC at present have 3 Champions. Anthony Joshua, who has IBF and WBA belts, Deontay Wilder, who is the WBC Champion and Joseph Parker who holds the WBO belt.
The Unification of these belts which will ultimately give an Undisputed Champion is the hot topic these days with fans and fighters evaluating who is the best among these three?
Anthony Joshua
After an epic win over legendary boxer Wladimir Klitschko aka Dr. Steel Hammer at the Wembley Stadium on 29th April 2017, Anthony Joshua became the hottest Heavyweight boxer with the entire division wanting to fight him. Wladimir Klitschko was the king of the heavyweight division for more than a decade before losing to the unpredictable Tyson Fury.
When Wladimir returned to the ring again to fight Joshua, a crowd of 90,000 fans in the stadium and people watching from over 150 countries became witness of an epic battle which is going to be remembered as one of the greatest heavyweight fights in the history of professional boxing.
Joshua, 27, at that time defeated a much older Klitschko, who was 41 with a TKO in the 11th Round, although Joshua was floored by the veteran in the 6th round, the first time in his career.
That fall of Joshua gave people reason to think that maybe he has a Glass (weak) chin which describes the ability of a boxer to handle deadly punches of the opponent and still keep fighting.
Joshua's technique seems to be sound and better than rest of the 2 champions and his hard-hitting fist is established beyond doubt. The only concern regarding Joshua is his stamina and his chin. Joshua is being considered the best right now but he has just begun proving himself.
Joseph Parker
A man of few words, Joseph Parker, who is the WBO champion is considered by majority as the person who is going to lose his belt sooner than the rest. Even in his last fight against Hughie Fury Parker was not impressive and was on the verge of losing the belt. Parker who has won all 24 of his fights with 18 KO's is probably the least hard hitting as compared to Joshua 18-0 with18 KO's and Deontay Wilder 39-0 with 38 KO's.
Parker may not be the hardest hitting but is technically sound like Joshua. He seems to have no stamina issues and is said to be the one having a stronger chin as compared to Joshua. Parker has not defeated someone like Wladimir Klitschko but his chances are not so dim as it may seem.
Joshua vs Parker
After defeating Carlos Takam in his last fight Joshua is on the verge of a unification fight against Joseph parker which is expected to take place sometime around in March-April 2018. Latest reports suggest that the fight is going to happen. The event will have the potential to attract crowds like it did in Joshua vs Klitschko fight.
Prediction
Joshua definitely seems to have an edge over Parker but still it is not going to be a one sided event at all. The strength of one is the weakness of other in this case. The technique and hard-hitting fist of Joshua will be up against the stamina and chin of Parker and the event will definitely be a must watch and a treat for boxing lovers.
Chances - 60% Joshua and 40% Parker.