By Scott Gilfoid: Tony Bellew (29-2-1, 19 KOs) is apparently interested in fighting WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (22-0, 18 KOs) daring the big 6’4″ unbeaten knockout artist to put his name on a contract for a fight. Parker, 25, seems only too willing to oblige the 34-year-old Bellew, as he told him to send over the contract for him to sign.
The question is will Bellew be brave enough to sigh for a fight against the New Zealand KO machine or is he just flapping his gums to hear himself speak? I know I have my guess. When push comes to shove, I see Bellew scattering to the wind in the opposite direction of Parker.
Good things come to those who wait.. You want to loose that belt in record time big man? I put my name on that contract you reign is over!👊 https://t.co/WSeDiNldwK
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) April 26, 2017
Here’s what Parker said on his Twitter in response to Bellew’s call out:
“Send the contract, mate.”
Instead of jumping all over this, Bellew could only utter these three words:
Now you tell me, does Bellew sound like someone that really wants to fight Parker or not? I smell fear. Bellew was initially barking and chasing Parker. But when he showed no fear and stepped towards him, we saw Bellew seemingly backing off from the fight with the talented Parker. I know I think. Bellew sounds like he doesn’t want any part of Parker. He would be bad news for him with his punching power, size and boxing skills.
Parker has a fight next month against the capable #14 WBO ranked Razvan Cojanu (16-2 9 KOs) on May 6 at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau City, New Zealand. The 30-year-old Cojanu is a late second substitute for Parker’s previously scheduled opponent Hughie Fury, who came down with a backache and pulled out of the fight. Cojanu is arguably a better fighter and a much bigger threat to Parker than the lanky, light hitting Hughie would have been. Parker knows he’s got a fight on his hands with Cojanu on May 6. He’s going to need to bring his A-game if he wants to win this fight.
Bellew is still licking his wounds from his fight with David Haye last month on March 4. Bellew suffered a hand injury. There’s no telling long that ailment will keep him on the sidelines as a spectator. Speaking of spectators, Bellew will be one of Sky Sports’ commentators for this Saturday’s fight between IBF heavyweight strap holder and Wladimir Klitschko. Bellew will be giving his 2 cents about his thoughts on the Joshua-Wladimir fight.
Robert Helenius says Dereck Chisora will run out of gas on May 27
Heavyweight Robert Helenius (24-1, 15 KOs) isn’t too worried about his rematch with #10 WBC Dereck Chisora 26-7, 18 KOs), because he expects the 33-year-old Brit to run out of gas well before the 12h round of their fight at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland. The 6’6 ½” Helenius already beat Chisora once already in boxing his way to a 12 round split decision win on December 3, 2011 in Helsinki.
The beauty about that win was Helenius beat Chisora with pretty much just one hand, as he injured his right shoulder in the fight early on and fought him with just one good arm. As it turned out, Helenius only needed one arm to do the job on Chisora. In the rematch, Helenius will have 2 good arms and he figures it’ll be bad for Chisora, because he’s just a slugger that comes forward.
‘’We’ve invested heavily in endurance training, cardio activities and, of course, a lot of sparring,” said Helenius. “When I fought Duhaupas, I wasn’t focused enough, but we’ve learnt from our mistakes, and this time, we won’t leave any stone unturned. On May 27, you will see Robert 2.0 in the ring!”
The 33-year-old Helenius was surprisingly knocked out by Johann Duhaupas in the 6th round last year in April 2016 in Helsinki. Duhaupas knocked Helenius down twice in the fight in dropping him in the 4th and 6th rounds. Helenius didn’t get up after the second knockdown of the fight.
Since that loss, Helenius has won his last two fights against Konstantin Airch and Gonzalo Omar Basile. It’s really not all that surprising that Helenius was beaten by Duhaupas. After all, the 36-year-old Duhaupas had been busier than Helenius and facing better opposition against guys like Deontay Wilder and Erkan Teper. Duhaupas lost both of those fights, but just being in the ring with tough guys like that helped sharpen Duhaupas to the point where he was in a better position to win the Helenius fight.
Chisora is coming into the Helenius fight after having been beaten by Dillian Whyte last December by a 12 round split decision. Chisora also lost to Kubrat Pulev by a 12 round split decision in May of last year. The common theme for Chisora losing both of those fights was him lacking th stamina to fight hard for the full 12 rounds. Chisora fought hard in brief spurts, and couldn’t push himself to put steady pressure for the full three minutes of each round.
If Chisora wants to blame anybody for his losses to Pulev and Whyte, then he needs to look in the mirror and accept the responsibility for getting beaten. Chisora has lacked the engine to win the tougher fights recently. I don’t think Chisora’s stamina problems are going to improve by next month when he faces Helenius for a second time on May 27. Coming events cast their shadows before. Chisora will likely run out of gas against Helenius like he did against Pulev and Whyte.
‘’I don’t think Chisora will have changed much over the year. I expect him to continue to come forward with his slugger style trying to land hooks,” said Helenius. “He can do that for twelve rounds, and that suits me fine, because he is going to run out of gas before I do. In the end, he will just have two options: my left hand or my right!’’
Chisora cannot afford a loss to Helenius at this point in his boxing career. Chisora wants to challenge for a world title against WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder or IBF champion Anthony Joshua. Right now, Chisora has a small glimmer of hope of getting a title shot against one of those two heavyweight champions in the distant future IF he keeps winning. Unfortunately for Chisora, if he loses to Helenius on May 27, his chances for a fight against Wilder or Joshua will be snuffed out. It’s not just the Helenius fight. Chisora has been losing to a lot of other guys in Pulev, Whyte, David Haye and Vitali Klitschko.