The American has fought just one round of boxing in two years, and, on December 23, goes in against a man who has already had three fights this year.
The three lower-level wins for the New Zealander were to bounce back from a bruising stoppage loss – the first of his career – at the hands of Joe Joyce.
Prior to that fight, Parker beat Derek Chisora twice. ‘Del Boy’ is now out in Saudi Arabia to watch how his old foe fares, and told the DAZN broadcast that he will be winning, at least until he isn’t.
“Deontay, in the beginning – one, two, three, four, five – he’s gonna be losing on points and then he’s gonna get his banger. He’ll get the knockout.”
It’s an out come that many in the sport are backing ahead of fight night, given that the American has done it time and time again.
In his second fight with Luis Ortiz, there was an argument for Wilder losing every round up until his one-hitter-quitter rendered the Cuban heavyweight unable to continue.
The only man able to crack the code to avoiding – or dealing with – that big right hand is WBC World Heavyweight Champion, Tyson Fury. Luckily for Parker, Fury trains alongside him in Morecambe.
Whether or not ‘The Gypsy King’ can provide good enough advice to Parker to follow remains to be seen.