Comments Thread For: Photos/Weights: Joseph Parker, Carlos Takam Ready For War

[John Locke]

Both guys in good shape, I got Parker by UD

[Chrismart]

Sky Sports Panel Predictions

Joseph Parker or Carlos Takam will earn a shot at Anthony Joshua's world title



David Haye
It's a really good fight. Takam is a very good fighter and I sparred with him. Parker is a man on the up and is unbeaten Down Under. I'm expecting a good one and I'm looking forward to watching it. I'd probably tip Parker to win it because Takam got violently knocked out by Alexander Povetkin so that's not good preparation going into a fight with a big puncher like Parker.
I'll go with the youth and the unbeaten record of Parker in that fight. I think Parker could be a threat to Joshua if they fought - two big, young guys of similar size and with very similar records. That'd be very interesting.

Tyson Fury
I like what I see with Joseph. He's a really nice guy and I speak a lot to him on the internet and Twitter, giving him advice and he takes it on board. I think he's 23 or 24 and he's doing really well. Takam is not a pushover but I just think Parker can out-box him and use his right uppercut and his angles and he will get some much-needed experience to move to the next level - which puts him up as the mandatory for the IBF.
Takam is an awkward opponent. He got that draw with Mike Perez, he beat Tony Thompson and he's had a few good losses and he is a top-five gatekeeper but I am expecting, and hoping, Parker comes through and looks good too.

David Coldwell
This one's a fight that will tell us just how much potential Parker's got. I am excited to see this one because Takam is a good fighter and Parker is a great prospect. Anthony Joshua is of course a heavyweight champion but he is still learning, getting better and improving, so it will be good to see how Parker looks in comparison, how exciting he is and how good technically he is. I am expecting him to come through.
Takam is awkward, he is experienced but I think the longer the fight goes, the better it is for Parker. If he looks good and does a good job on him, he becomes more than a mandatory challenger. He will be a young, fresh heavyweight who has burst onto the scene full of confidence. He would be a genuine, legitimate world title challenger and that would definitely be something to look forward to.

Shannon Briggs
Takam and Parker is going to be a fight, champ!
Sky Sports has the best fights in the world. It was one of my biggest motivations for coming to the UK and this is a great fight. I'm very impressed with Parker so far - from what I've seen, he's amazing and I think he's a future champion and superstar.

Shane McGuigan
It's a great fight. I know Takam because I've seen him sparring David Haye and he's no joke. He's extremely tough. There are videos of him sparring David before the Dereck Chisora fight and he can punch with each hand. I think it'll be interesting to see how much Povetkin has taken out of him because he had a long war with Povetkin and ended up getting stopped. When someone is durable and relies on pressure and they get stopped for the first time, it's a ***** in their armour and they can be stopped again and again.
Parker is a great talent. He's got very fast hands. He punches quite short and I think that'll suit him against Takam but when he steps up against the likes of Deontay Wilder, David or Anthony Joshua I think it'll be a factor and he won't be able to get shots off. But against Takam, it could be the perfect fight for him.

Eric Molina
Takam is a strong guy, and a good heavyweight. With all the buzz around Parker, this is the fight that tells everybody where he's at. He's a great prospect - he's young, hungry and has all the attributes.
This is the fight that shows if Parker is the real deal. I don't see him knocking out Takam, I'd be surprised if he did. I've never thought Parker is a big puncher, but I think he can box well and put combinations together. But no, I don't see him as a big puncher. I can see Parker winning by between three to six points.

Gerald Washington
I like both fighters. I definitely like Parker, he's a very strong fighter and those guys match-up well. It's going to be a good fight. I would pick Parker.
They are the same size, but he has a little more activity, and is going to be a faster, quicker, younger guy. He can move around him pretty good and really box him.

[robbyheartbaby]

You guys do love your cheats. In USA we do it clean.

Dude I know that's a joke but were you seriously implying Parker could be using? Too many boxers are getting busted it's heartbreaking man.

[Dean_Razorback]

The acne can be due to several different factors, diet, stress, etc.

meldonium

[Weltschmerz]

meldonium

Do you even know what it is? Not a steroid. Hardly used outside Russia and eastern Europe.

[Fury4daWIN]

Dude I know that's a joke but were you seriously implying Parker could be using? Too many boxers are getting busted it's heartbreaking man.

Parker's probably on Samoan steroids. You should try them. They're delicious.

[Dean_Razorback]

Do you even know what it is? Not a steroid. Hardly used outside Russia and eastern Europe.

do you know what a joke is dude?

[robbyheartbaby]

Parker's probably on Samoan steroids. You should try them. They're delicious.

I'm keen as bro hook me up!