AHEAD of the world heavyweight title unification clash between WBA and IBF king Anthony Joshua and WBO boss Joseph Parker in Cardiff this Saturday (March 31), Dillian Whyte has had his say.
The Brixton heavyweight – who KO’d the previously unbeaten Lucas Browne in sensational style this past weekend – lost to Joshua via seventh-session stoppage back in December 2015 in what remains his sole pro defeat to date.
Ever since this fan-friendly fight – during which Joshua was wobbled dramatically in the second round – rumours have circulated of a potential rematch between the old rivals down the line.
Despite his long-standing grudge with fellow Brit Joshua, Whyte can only see one man winning the contest in Wales.
“Parker’s not come over here to lie down and give up his world title, but I think Joshua will be too good, too fast and too strong for him,” Whyte told Boxing News. “The main factor in the fight is Joshua’s experience on the big stage. Parker hasn’t had that experience on the big stage. ‘AJ’s’ been fighting on the big stage ever since he turned professional.
“That was one of the problems I had when I faced him. I hadn’t been on that big platform before. He was used to the pressure. He was used to operating at that level. I came up fighting on small shows. I went from that to coming up against Joshua at a sold-out O2 Arena. He was used to that, but I wasn’t.
“I think that lack of big-stage experience will be Parker’s downfall. Once he gets in the ring, he’s going to realise that he’s way out of his depth because he hasn’t had the big fights before. That’s going to be the biggest problem for him.”
Parker – who has famously never been knocked down as an amateur, professional or in sparring – has won all 24 of his pro bouts so far. The New Zealander is known for his toughness, but Whyte believes that Joshua’s power will prove too much for the visitor to handle.
“I think Joshua will stop him in about six or seven rounds. Parker’s a good fighter, but I don’t believe he’ll be strong enough,” Whyte opined.
“Heavyweight boxing is all about timing. I think Joshua has got him at the right time. The timing is more in Joshua’s favour than Parker’s. Parker should’ve waited a little bit before taking this fight. He should’ve had a couple more title defences first on a biggish stage. You can’t go from fighting on small shows in New Zealand to fighting on the big stage. There are different levels to this game.”
