On Jan. 22 in Samoa, New Zealand's Joe Parker advanced his record to 18-0 (16 KOs) with an eighth round stoppage of Pittsburgh invader Jason Bergman. Carrying 240 pounds on his 6'4" frame, Parker moved one step closer to a crossroads fight with a leading heavyweight contender.
During the early years of gloved boxing in the United States, there was a great influx of boxers from the so-called Antipodes (Australia and New Zealand). Many were born in the British Isles, such as Bob Fitzsimmons, a Cornishman raised in New Zealand. Nowadays, most New Zealand boxers are Polynesians. Joe Parker was born in New Zealand to immigrants from Samoa.
Parker is trained by Kevin Barry who also handled David Tua. Barry is best known for "defeating" Evander Holyfield in the 1984 Olympic games. He was knocked out, but the punch landed after the bell in the eyes of the ref and Holyfield was disqualified. Barry never turned pro, but kept his hand in the game. He is the most prominent boxing trainer in New Zealand, as was his father before him.
David Tua knocked out five men who held a version of the heavyweight title -- he starched Michael Moorer in 30 seconds -- but despoiled his legacy with a listless performance against Lennox Lewis. Barry says that while Parker doesn't punch as hard as Tua, he is a more well-rounded boxer with faster hands who is more dedicated to the sport.
In climbing the ladder, Parker, who turned 24 this month, has preyed on old-timers with name recognition. His victims include 42-year-old Sherman Williams, 44-year-old Frans Botha, and 45-year-old Kali Meehan. He wants to fight Anthony Joshua next, but he needs to defeat a credible opponent in his own age group to make that fight happen.
Samoans have excelled at American football and rugby. It's surprising that so few have made headway in boxing.
During the early years of gloved boxing in the United States, there was a great influx of boxers from the so-called Antipodes (Australia and New Zealand). Many were born in the British Isles, such as Bob Fitzsimmons, a Cornishman raised in New Zealand. Nowadays, most New Zealand boxers are Polynesians. Joe Parker was born in New Zealand to immigrants from Samoa.
Parker is trained by Kevin Barry who also handled David Tua. Barry is best known for "defeating" Evander Holyfield in the 1984 Olympic games. He was knocked out, but the punch landed after the bell in the eyes of the ref and Holyfield was disqualified. Barry never turned pro, but kept his hand in the game. He is the most prominent boxing trainer in New Zealand, as was his father before him.
David Tua knocked out five men who held a version of the heavyweight title -- he starched Michael Moorer in 30 seconds -- but despoiled his legacy with a listless performance against Lennox Lewis. Barry says that while Parker doesn't punch as hard as Tua, he is a more well-rounded boxer with faster hands who is more dedicated to the sport.
In climbing the ladder, Parker, who turned 24 this month, has preyed on old-timers with name recognition. His victims include 42-year-old Sherman Williams, 44-year-old Frans Botha, and 45-year-old Kali Meehan. He wants to fight Anthony Joshua next, but he needs to defeat a credible opponent in his own age group to make that fight happen.
Samoans have excelled at American football and rugby. It's surprising that so few have made headway in boxing.
Joe Parker. Another Rising Heavyweight Contender.
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