Comments Thread For: Joseph Parker Edges Carlos Takam In Heavyweight Title Eliminator

[ShoulderRoll]

Parker could use more learning fights like this. Hopefully he gets one or two in before the mandatory is due.

From what I saw he isn't ready for Joshua right now.

[LacedUp]

he is comfortably top ten based on his record and his all-round game

he would likely make joshua struggle just as much as he did parker

He is fringe top 10 and I really doubt he'll pose any problems to Joshua or any of the champions - especially if he fights off the back foot like he's done a couple of times.

[The King25]

the heart and intelligence that he showed was very impressive. i'll never write off a fighter if he displays these two attributes in particular. most prospects who fail fail because they fall short in at least one of those areas

very good point, I do think he is lacking the quality of the top heavyweights , but he can fight , definitely . A fight vs Whyte would be good.

[Roberto Vasquez]

Parker took too long to step up his opposition in my opinion. That's why he didn't look that good. This was new to him. Now he knows he needs to learn more so that's good.

One thing I don't get is why he leaves is chin so exposed. I noticed this in his earlier fights. What is his coach doing?? Yeh, he has an iron-chin but against very hard hitters he's going to be in big trouble unless he fixes that.

[Rock&Roll]

My two cents worth.
Good fight. Parker needs to improve his stamina to handle the next level. Most flaws are technique issues. He's got good natural attributes.
He needs to sit down on his punches, legs were too stiff. If he bends those knees a bit not only will his punching power improve but his footwork will also. Can't move like a cat with stiff legs.
The above point brings me onto my next, which is punching from the chest. You should 'hit from where your hand is' and your hand should be up past shoulder height for defense, not at chest level because it feels like u get more power from there.
Doing this and leaving hands down (even lower) after a combo are rookie mistakes that they'll need to iron out, amongst others.
At least his team knows this and will be working on fixing it. I look forward to seeing an improved parker in the future with these basic technique issues out of his game.

[TJ highway]

Good fight and a better learning experience. Kid didn't panic and listened to his trainer! Kevin Barry did a great job! Don't get me wrong kid still needs work.

[Æthelstan]

Parker is decent but not a top 5 HW, I'm sure Joshua will stop him

[Mash121]

Good fight and experience for the green Parker.

One thing is clear, Parker needs a lot of work before stepping in with any world beaters. Takam was a real step up for him and a provided a stern test. Parker showed he has a decent chin, heart and can punch. Plenty of ingredients to do pretty well.

Parker needs a few more fights, learning curves before fighting Joshua, Fury, or Haye.

Great test for him and going the distance is something that will help him. He needs to get some more rounds in and experience yet.

At this point, I'd heavily favor Joshua if they were to meet.

[Tobi.G]

Im disapointed about both fighters! takam, once known for his high workrate against Perez and Thompson, had one of the dumbest strategies i have ever seen. He was not agressive enough and when he was more agressive for a round and Parker was close to get knocked out, he just waited and did nothing to finish him in the next one. Where is takams workrate at? Is he shot? Or is he not using the same PEDs he used back then? maybe he used that Povetkin-drug when it was still legal i dont know. And parker? Poor conditioning and defense, power is a big let down, couldnt even hurt Takam, hes gonna be a good contender but im sure he cant beat fighters like Fury, Joshua, haye, Povetkin and Ortiz.

[Fury4daWIN]

Ranking fighters now is tricky more than ever now one has to take into the dangerous factor because most have not fought each other.Im not so sure Takam is top 10 besides Thompson his best win is an old Botha who had around 5/6 losses in his last years. Based on his long career its not much to go on . Joshua / Klitchko/ Fury / Wilder / Povetkin / Haye/ Ortiz/ Pulev /Parker/ Stivern / Breazeale / I would have more of a THREAT at this stage .If you take awat the champions then i guess hes in the mix . Im not even sure if i would have Takam over Mansour Szpilka or jennings. Whyte is also a question mark i would have that 50/50 .

Takam's clearly better than Mansour or Szpilka. I'd have him about even with Jennings ATM,.