ZACH PARKER and Darryll Williams will clash for the vacant British super-super-middleweight title when the World Boxing Super Series rolls into Glasgow on November 3 at the SSE Hydro.
The unbeaten super-middles will form part of the undercard as Josh Taylor and Ryan Burnett get their WBSS campaignโs underway against Ryan Martin and Nonito Donaire respectively.
Parker told Boxing News of his excitement at finally getting his chance to get his hands on the prestigious title and looks back on a โwhirlwindโ year since his stunning first round stoppage of Luke Blackledge last September.
The 16-0, 11 early, prospect said: โIโve always wanted this title. Everyone in boxing knows about the prestige that comes with the belt, I mean even people in the States have huge respect for the title and what you have to do to win it outright.
โMy dad speaks about it all the time, even when I was younger, and after being made mandatory last year when Rocky Fielding had it, Iโm so excited to finally get the chance to fight for it. I couldnโt ask for a tougher challenge in Darryll Williams though.
โDarryll will come forward and Iโm not moving back, so weโll meet in the middle and there will be fireworks. It would be a great way to cap off a whirlwind year since I stopped Blackledgeโ
That whirlwind year included signing with the Sauerland brothers, who are part of the driving force behind the World Boxing Super Series. The format has captured the attention of boxing fans around the world and the 24-year-old has become a regular fixture on their cards.
The Swadlincote star believes that his appearances, especially the ones in Germany will set him in good stead, as he sets about achieving one of his early goals in the sport of winning the Lonsdale belt for keeps.
โSigning with the Sauerlands was massive for me and fighting in Germany has given me experience that not many British fighters at the same stage of their careers have got. Iโve been away and done it against tough lads that make you make you work every second and donโt just come to move around,” he said.
โWhen those others get to the next level and have to take a tougher test, some of them will come unstuck, as theyโve had it easy. However, Iโve got the rounds under my belt and as part of my arsenal and it will put me in a good place for when I get that British title, win it outright and put it on my mantelpiece for keeps.โ
Parker is managed by Neil Marsh, who is confident that he has a future star of the 168lbs division under his wing. Marsh believes that his young charge will be the level above who briefly retired and has only fought two rounds since his duo of excellent wins over Jahmaine Smyle to win the English title.
Marsh added: โItโs a brilliant fight and the perfect one for Zach at this stage of his career. Darryll ticks all the boxes and is as tough as nails so itโs a great chance for Zach to show what he is all about. Zach carries thunder in both hands and we know that Williams is very resilient, so itโs going to be a great watch. But this sport is all about levels and Zach is a level above Darryll Williams.
โIโm happy to have got this done for him as the title means so much to him. Boxing isnโt straight forward and we really wanted to fight Fielding, who vacated the title. However in the circumstances and what he has gone on to do by winning the world title, how can you criticise him because you canโt turn that down?
โThe Sauerlands have done a great job with Zach and weโd like to thank them for their incredible support so far. Weโre in no rush with Zach and weโve got plenty of time. Weโll take every fight as it comes and he will go all the way. I can assure you that Zach Parker is the real deal and he will demonstrate that on November 3.โ