Kali Meehan: Once Anthony Joshua has won the title, Joseph Parker will beat him

Kali Meehan: Once Anthony Joshua has won the title, Joseph Parker will beat him

After a 19 year professional career that has propelled him all over the globe, former heavyweight world title challenger, Australian based New Zealander, Kali Meehan 42-6 (32 KOs), knows what qualities are required to reach the pinnacle of the sport. I recently spoke to “Mean Hands” Meehan, via telephone – from his home in Wyongah, New South Wales, Australia – to discuss both his colorful career, and to hear his assessment of his previous opponent, one of boxing’s rising stars: Joseph Parker.

Hailing from Levuka town, on the Fijian island of Ovalau – an island on which rugby is virtually a way of life – Kali Meehan’s mother would surely never have envisaged that her future son would one day become a successful prize-fighter, when she ventured to New Zealand half a century ago.

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Interview: Joseph Parker discusses Carlos Takam, training camp and his newfound German ancestry

YouTube video

In every promising sports career there comes a breakout moment, a crossroads junction where hype meets reality. That moment has arrived for unbeaten prospect Joseph Parker as he commences preparations to face the always dangerous Carlos Takam in a fight, that if victorious, will see him transition from prospect to contender.

In 2015 Parker cut a swathe through his opposition, obliterating all who faced him with a string of booming knockouts courtesy of his powerful right hand. Despite this impressive run of performances Parker wasn’t immune from criticism as sceptics were quick to claim that his opponents were either over matched, over the hill or just plain underwhelming. ‘He needs to start stepping it up’ seemed to be the consensus of opinion while Parker kept busy in his work, fighting and winning six times in a little over ten months. This accelerated schedule saw him rewarded with a swift rise through the world rankings.

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Kevin Barry Interview: ‘There is a lot more to come from Joseph Parker.’

Kevin Barry Interview: ‘There is a lot more to come from Joseph Parker.’

As quickly as Tyson Fury changed the landscape of the heavyweight division with his against-the-odds defeat of Wladimir Klitschko, so it fractured again with the IBF immediately splintering off and declaring their title vacant.

In their own way the IBF may have done heavyweight boxing a favour as it has cleared a path for two of the sport’s most promising young heavyweights, Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker, to step up and sign the most significant fights of their respective careers.

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Joseph Parker wants the winner of Joshua-Martin

Joseph Parker wants the winner of Joshua-Martin

As much of a big deal as unbeaten heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua is in the UK, Joseph Parker, a legitimate contender/threat to any heavyweight you could care to mention, is as big a deal in New Zealand. Parker, unbeaten at 18-0(16) has plenty of good judges believing he is the next dominant heavyweight in a division that is suddenly red-hot again.

And Parker, who has been calling out “A.J” for some time now, will continue to target the Londoner, if he beats Charles Martin in April as the bookmakers say will be the case. If not, Parker will happily challenge reigning IBF heavyweight boss Martin.

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Parker methodically beats down Bergman in Eight

YouTube video

Apia, Samoa, Faleata Sports Complex. As expected Joseph Parker improved to 18(16)-0 with a methodical beat down of human punching bag Jason Bergman 25(16)-12-2 in the eighth round of their scheduled twelve round fight.

Before a boisterous hometown crowd in Apia, Parker came out pawing his trademark jab looking to set up a big right hand, before settling into his work from the second which was punctuated with a knock down to Bergman from a thudding left hand.

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Joseph Parker: Samoan blood, Kiwi heart

Joseph Parker: Samoan blood, Kiwi heart

Apia, Samoa. It might not quite be ‘The Rumble in the Jungle,’ but as far flung and unexpected locations for a boxing match go the tropical balmy climes of Samoa are right up there. And there is a palpable sense of anticipation breezing through this tiny island nation right now ahead of Joseph Parker’s clash with his first southpaw opponent, American, Jason Bergman.

Even Parker’s promoters Duco have cheekily drawn parables with Ali and Foreman’s historic fight, labelling Parker and Bergman’s clash the slightly more clunky sounding ‘The Rumble in Paradise.’ Whether a rumble ensues remains to be seen but the exotic surroundings that make up Samoa’s sunny islands definitely qualifies as paradise.

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Joseph Parker interested Anthony Joshua fight

Joseph Parker interested Anthony Joshua fight

Unbeaten heavyweight contender Joseph Parker (17-0, 15 KOs) says he hopes to face undefeated British/Commonwealth heavyweight champion Antony Joshua (15-0, 15 KOs) in the future. Parker, 23, is a little bit younger than the 26-year-old Joshua, but with perhaps a little more punching power in both hands. Joshua has been developed a bit more as a pro, and he would appear to be a little ahead of the 6’4” New Zealand heavyweight at this time.

Parker saw Joshua’s recent 7th round stoppage over the injured Dillian Whyte last December and he was impressed with what he saw from Joshua. Whyte staggered Joshua in the 2nd round before suffering an injury to left power hand and being forced to fight mainly with only one good hand the rest of the way.

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Parker sparks Martz in the 1st

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9n3b17TcXo

World rated heavyweight despatched Daniel Martz with a blistering right hand in front of a vocal Claudelands Arena in the very first round of their scheduled 12 round contest.

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Joseph Parker Interview: Work, work and then more work

Joseph Parker Interview: Work, work and then more work

Before we get to the interview we must fast forward one day past our first sit-down when I catch up with Joseph Parker, stable mate Izu Ugonoh and trainer Kevin Barry to watch as Tyson Fury dethrones Wladimir Klitschko and assume the mantle as the king of the heavyweight division.

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