Parker: I can adapt to Deontay Wider’s style

boxingnews24.com

By Jeff Aranow: WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker was at ringside for Deontay Wilder’s title defense of his WBO belt against Gerald Washington last Saturday night at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Parker wanted to take a good look at the 6’7” Wilder, because the two of them could be facing each other this year. Parker has to win his next fight against Hughie Fury for him to be able to face Deontay in a unification fight.

Parker says he noticed that Wilder likes to fight at a slow pace. Parker thought Wilder was losing the fight to Washington at the time that he stopped him in round 5. Parker came away from watching Wilder’s fight feeling like he can adapt to anything he does inside the ring. Parker feels that he would have done a much better job against Wilder than Washington. Parker says he’s faster and more mobile, and he would be a more difficult opponent.

“I hope to,” said Parker to Thaboxingvoice.com when asked if he’d like to fight Deontay Wilder. “I’ve got another fight locked in. I’ve just got to focus on my opponent Hughie Fury. We came here to see what Deontay has. I feel like I can do better than his opponent. I’ve got more speed, more movement, and I’m confident in myself. He’s got power, but he likes to fight at a slow speed. I like to fight at a fast speed. I thought Washington was busier, and he landed the cleaner shots in the beginning. In heavyweight boxing, one punch can change anything, and Deontay has the power to change it. I can adapt to any style he brings,” said Parker.

When it comes to a unification fight between Wilder and Parker, it would be a faster pace fight than the Wilder-Washington match. If Wilder isn’t able to fight at a faster pace than he did last night, then he’ll get taken out quickly by Parker. Wilder looked like he was spinning his gears in the first four rounds. Wilder didn’t show self-confidence until round 5.

Washington had Wilder looking scared despite his lack of punching power and hand speed. Washington was seemingly able to intimidate Wilder just with his jab and his occasional rushing attacks. Washington was there to be hit each time he would charge him like a football player. Wilder wasn’t taking advantage of Washington’s reckless style of fighting. It wasn’t until Washington started showing signs of tiring in round 5 that Wilder was able to hurt him with anything.