ZACH PARKER has had a very quick rise to the mainstream. A year ago he was fighting on undercards in the Midlands in front of sparse crowds, yet now he is just one phone call away from being catapulted into the main event of one of the biggest event’s in British boxing’s recent history.
Parker, 14-0, 10 KOs, has recently been named as the reserve in the super-middleweight division for the World Boxing Super Series and will be the first man in, if one of George Groves or Chris Eubank Jr are unable to get in the ring for Saturday’s highly anticipated clash on ITV Box Office.
The 23-year-old from Swadlincote in Derbyshire has enjoyed a year and opportunity that many are never handed in boxing, which has seen him thrust onto the verge of the biggest tournament in the sport and the opportunity to sign with the Sauerland Brothers.
Parker told Boxing News, “This last year has been mad. I’ve gone from fighting on small hall shows to now being on the biggest stage in UK boxing. It all came off the back of the win over Luke Blackledge, which I was meant to lose, as I lacked the experience, but I proved them all wrong by stopping him inside a round.
“I’m big at the weight and I knew he would come forward, which played right into my hands, as I was confident he would walk onto my shots. I tested him with the left hand and I saw he kept dropping his right, so I waited and swung it in, catching him perfectly to announce myself on the big stage.
“I didn’t think it would get any better for me, but then the Sauerland’s came in and offered me a contract, which I couldn’t turn down. They put me on the Eubank Jr undercard two weeks later and I got the job done again, so they’ve seen my potential and I’m so excited to see what the future holds. It’s all come at once, but this is what I’m in the sport for.”
The unbeaten prospect will take on Adasat Rodriguez over 10 rounds on Saturday. The 31-year-old Spaniard holds a record of 16-6-2, stopping 10, but also getting stopped three times himself. Parker is certain that Rodriguez will not be able to stand up to what he will hit him with on Saturday.
Parker holds big ambitions and has recently been made the mandatory challenger to the British title, which is currently held by Rocky Fielding. He has also got one eye on his now promotional stablemate Tyron Zeuge, who is still the WBA’s regular champion.
He was keeping his cards close to his chest when it came to predicting the main event however, as he could well be in there himself. He did however say if the fight goes ahead as planned, he would be confident in predicting a win for Groves.
“I’ve had a look at Rodriguez and he looks strong, comes forward, but that won’t help him, as he won’t stand up to me. My ability will carry me through and I’ll be too sharp at close range for him, however if he wants to try and rough me up, then he’s welcome to try, as I’m prepared for that too,” he said. “He will walk on to a shot, which will be twice as hard as he comes forward. Then I have my eye on some big fights. I’m mandatory for the British so if Fielding wants to defend his belt, I’m up for it, as like any British fighter, I want that Lonsdale belt.
“I’ve sparred Tyron Zeuge as well and it didn’t go very well for him. If the offer came my way, I’d be more than ready for it, especially as he’s clearly not got much confidence in himself, as otherwise he would be in the World Boxing Super Series with all the rest of these super-middleweights.
“I’m glad I’m on this card, as I was supposed to fight Stefan Haertel in Germany, however he didn’t want it. If I had to pick between Groves and Eubank Jr, I would go for Groves, as he will have too much for Eubank Jr.
“Everyone has forgotten about his power and you have to respect Eubank Jr’s engine, so you can’t write him off, but Groves is always dangerous in a fight. Eubank will be too open, so Groves will make him miss, then make him pay and hurt Eubank Jr. This isn’t a pumped up middleweight or past his best super-middle he’s fighting, this is a top quality fighter in Groves, so I can’t look past him.
“However, I’m not going to lie, I kind of want one of them to pull out so I can get the opportunity. I’d be over the moon if I got that phone call.”
