The Big One: Joshua vs. Parker

The first time in history two reigning heavyweight champions will fight in the United Kingdom is between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker. A fight between the two has been brought up in media and conversations for 2-3 years and having crossed the line with the contracts, we can now celebrate and rejoice that this fight is coming.

Anthony Joshua, the unified champion of the WBA, IBF and IBO belts is on the path becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, a title that Mike Tyson last held and even himself didn’t hold four belts. The tough challenge ahead of him is the likes of Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder.

First up is Joseph Parker with a record of 24-0 [18 KOs]. Parker was deemed a powerful force in the heavyweight division when he built up a record of 18-0 [16 KOs] at the start of 2016. The similar hype to Anthony Joshua at the same stage in careers, the British public called for tougher competition and Parker was one of the names mentioned. After destroying Dimitrenko in three rounds, Parker would challenge for his own world title against Andy Ruiz Jr. Fighting at world level seemed to have some effect on Parker’s performance as critics began to grow on the new champ and his next two defences.

Photo Credits: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Anthony Joshua has become the type of superstar that you don’t even need to report. He has become the face of British boxing with his attractive record consisting of 20 consecutive knockouts. Joshua rose through the British ranks easily and captured his first world title easily against Charles Martin. As we all remember he knocked out Wladimir Klitschko in a gruelling fight at Wembley Stadium in front of 90,000 fans which skyrocketed his route to stardom.

The two will meet at Principality Stadium, Cardiff, where last time out Joshua sold out the place when he defended the titles against his mandatory Carlos Takam. Takam a victim of both men in different stages of their careers, will be the one to ask for a prediction. The rugby stadium is likely to be sold out quickly as the unification fight has built massive hype over the past few months.

It starts tomorrow with the first press conference where we will witness the mentality of both fighters. Words may become heated as each will attempt to get under one another’s skin. Parker’s boasts about never being dropped may become effective on Joshua and provides a test that Joshua will be desperate to overcome.

Photo Credits: Douglas DeFelice/Premier Boxing Champions

This is a fight that will surely gain interest over the next few weeks and has the possibility of breaking records. Two big punchers, Parker’s so hyped about ‘granite chin’ being put to the test. It comes down to heart and levels and who wants it enough. The winner is expected to fight the winner of Wilder vs. Ortiz next, currently being dubbed as #TheHeavyweightFour. There’s no need for a tournament when all this action is headed our way in March.