Joshua vs Parker: Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, Dereck Chisora and co make predictions
Written by News on 01/04/2018
Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker’s heavyweight rivals have provided predictions for the big fight.
The IBF, WBA and WBO championships are at stake on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Box Office, when Joshua and Parker collide.
Who do their rivals expect to win?
Deontay Wilder
Parker is most definitely a threat. In terms of seriousness, I don’t know where he’s placed but he is a threat. He is a champion and I think he does have what it takes to beat Joshua – and vice versa, of course.
This is going to be a good fight and, as long as Parker can stay on his feet and land his punches, he has more than a solid chance. I see this going into the later rounds, and we’ll see what happens.
It might even come down to who wants it the most – and who’s willing and ready to face me next!
Dillian Whyte
AJ stops Parker in six or seven rounds. Parker’s problem is that he’s a come-forward fighter but he’s not defensively great, and he’s not the most powerful.
Parker has very quick hands and good movement which can cause Joshua problems but he will run into punches. AJ likes a come-forward fighter so he doesn’t have to move around the ring, or use skills – he can just rely on his right hand and his counters.
There are three ways to beat AJ. You out-box him, out-tough him or overpower him. Parker is in between all three. He’s not powerful, not a good boxer and not a tough enough guy.
David Price
There is a lot on the line. Joshua has proven to be able to do it under the pressure of the huge capacity crowd, but Parker is yet to experience that.
First six rounds, I think Parker is going to be really cagey and Joshua will be trying to pin him down and start getting his shots off. I think Joshua is going to get to him between rounds eight and 10, and Parker could be stopped on his feet.
Jarrell Miller
If Joseph can move, box a little bit, catch the timing and use his hand speed, I think he will definitely tattoo AJ up.
AJ is definitely the slower out of the two when it comes to hand speed. If his stamina does not collapse on him, like it usually does, then maybe his power helps.
But it’s definitely a 50-50 fight in my book. The only one name that Parker doesn’t have on his record that is decent is Wladimir Klitschko. I think it’s going to be a good fight.
Dereck Chisora
I see that fight going well. I see Joshua winning in the later rounds. It will be very tricky for him, for the first couple of rounds, but in the later rounds he is going to just knock him out.
From one to 10, I rate Parker maybe a four-and-a-half. Joshua is getting better and will get a late stoppage.
Carlos Takam
These two are the best. Parker is the best, Joshua is the best. Joshua punches hard. Parker, the guy has speed, a lot of speed. Speed or strength?
I watched the last fight for Parker against Hughie Fury. The fight was no good, really no good. If Parker fights like that with Joshua, Joshua is going to destroy him. But I know Parker is prepared for the fight with Joshua. I think Joshua is going to win the fight.
If Joshua fights like he fights with me, he’s going to beat Parker. I think sixty per cent [chance of a] knockout and 40 per cent [chance of] points.
Lucas Browne
Joshua allowed Takam to come in closer. If he does that with Parker, then Parker has more of a chance.
If Joshua fights longer, he’s got it in the bag. But one punch can change everything. You’ve seen Wladimir Klitschko do the same – stand on the edge and chip away, chip away, chip away. Eventually, he turns on the gas. Rounds eight until 12, stoppage for Joshua.
Dave Allen
Parker looks really fit. He hasn’t looked in good shape [in his past few fights]. But Joshua is an animal, a beast.
I’ll go for Joshua by late stoppage. Before, I thought Joshua would win early but Parker is in great shape, and is coming to fight.
Parker doesn’t have a granite chin – there’s no such thing as a granite chin. If Joshua hits him square on the chin, he’s going spark out.
(c) Sky News 2018: Joshua vs Parker: Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, Dereck Chisora and co make predictions
