Seven British fighters have tried and failed, but Zach Parker believes he has the style to cause Canelo Alvarez serious issues if they ever fight.
Derby puncher Parker is, in theory, in a fine position to face the great Mexican by virtue of his No.1 ranking with the WBO at 168lbs. Canelo currently holds the WBO, WBC and WBA Super crowns at super-middleweight and plans to add the IBF belt to that haul when he meets that organisation’s champion Caleb Plant in a projected bout in September.
Mandatory challenger Parker (20-0, 14 KOs) feels he is a tough night in prospect for Canelo, given his power and switching-hitting style. But can the Derby man succeed where Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders, Amir Khan, Liam Smith, Rocky Fielding, Matthew Hatton and Ryan Rhodes fell short? He feels confident he can.
“I am the undefeated one in Britain now and, if it came to that fight, I know I can give him a lot of problems and that is what I plan to do,” said the Frank Warren-promoted Parker, 27, who will next meet a selected opponent at the Albert Hall on July 10. “[Canelo] is obviously looking for the Caleb Plant fight at the moment, but I am here waiting and ready.
“Now I have got the big promoter behind me it should be easier to make and I will do it whenever.
“[Compared to his other British opponents], I have got the worst style for Canelo with being a switch-hitter who can bang with both hands. Everyone who fights or spars me says they have never been hit as hard before and Canelo would be in for a rude awakening if we do fight.
“The others who have taken him on use a lot of different shots, but mine is one-shot power. I have got power like Deontay Wilder, that one-punch KO sort of power. I can knock anyone out.
“You can’t just keep running from Canelo, you’ve got to hit him and keep him occupied. If you don’t hit him back and get his respect he will keep just walking you down. That is what he did to Billy Joe and the others in the end and I wouldn’t allow it.”
Main image: Queensberry Promotions