By Gerardo Granados: Tonight at Manukai City, New Zealand, the WBO heavyweight belt holder Joseph Parker defeated by a clear 12 round unanimous decision average contender Razvan Cojanu. The contender took the fight in short notice due that Hughie Fury pulled off the fight citing a lower back injury. The score cards were 117-110 twice and 119-108; I had it scored 120-107 for Parker.
Even if Parker won a comfortable decision, it is a concern to see how he wasted the chance to look impressive against a one dimensional slow boxer. This bout was supposed to be a title bout but instead looked more as an undercard ten rounder. Joseph once again kept on dropping his hands leaving big holes to be countered and even if Cojanu was really limited and threw few punches still was able to land a few solid punches on Parker.
Parker was training to defend his belt against Hughie Fury, so he should at least have kept a high tempo thru the fight the full three minutes of the rounds. Cojanu seemed just pleased to be there and didn’t realize he wasted the chance of a life time that for sure won’t present again.
Once I thought Parker was a future threat in the heavyweight division, then after his fight against Andy Ruiz I wasn’t sure anymore. Even worse he called out Tony Bellew, no disrespect meant to Bellew; hey I like this though son of boxing but Parker should aim to fight Luis Ortiz level of opposition instead.
Earlier I saw a tweet from Promoter Frank Warren that read “And I’m pretty certain if it wasn’t for that injury Hughie Fury & Peter Fury would now be on their way back from NZ with the WBO belt! FW.”
After the second in a row lackluster performance from Parker, I cannot disagree with Promoter Frank Warren. Parker had an opponent tailor made for him and failed to deliver. I am sure that Hughie would have fought like a true hungry contender to the title.
Deontay Wilder is wild, his technique and boxing habits aren’t impressive but his freakish punching power give him a chance to beat anyone of the belt holders. The Bronze Bomber truly is a dangerous puncher. Anthony Joshua is quite vulnerable and beatable, but he is really though strong and powerful; AJ is a legit threat for any active heavyweight. Luis Ortiz also has couple of lackluster outings but the big man isn’t only skilled and powerful but also carries a lot of experience. There must be a good reason why not many are calling him out.
Can Parker bounce back? Does Joseph needs new trainer to take him to next level?
Perhaps styles make fights and Cojanu didn’t mix with Parker style. Maybe I am too adamant to see Parker win by Knockout in all of his fights. But for sure right now I think he is the weakest belt holder.
But how about the reader do you agree?