Boxing

Return from the edge: Can Joseph Parker overthrow Daniel Dubois for heavyweight?

Published

2 years ago

February 18, 2025

Joseph Parker faced a long, tedious road back to the top, but the 33-year-old is in a better place than ever, when he tries to become a two-time heavyweight champion.

Since the winner of the WBO title, almost ten years ago with the victory of points on Andym Ruiz Jr. At a teenage age of 24, Parker was on a rollercoaster traveling, who saw him moved from unification against Anthony Joshua to, at some point, at some point, the fight to save his career. On Saturday he will face Daniel Dubois for the title of IBF in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In 2018, the defeat of Joshua and Dillian Whyte – a competition that still incensed with the Parker camp after apparent headbut – saw how he rides to order.

The fight in 2021 with the Junior FA compatriot in Auckland was settled as a clash or contract. Parker won, but with an unconvincing performance, which was far from the best, about which he and everyone knew he could reach. After the consequence, he parted with coach Kevin Barry.

Although he insists that he never lost his faith, he admits that in recent years he has asked himself tough questions about himself with a lot of soul searching.

“To tell the truth, I always believed that I could do well in boxing again, but when you have a few failures and do not go towards you, you start asking questions,” Parker told reporters before fighting Dubois.

“I have never had any doubts and I never wanted to give up, but I knew that I had to make changes and I think that I had made the change that I had now was very, very nice.”

This change was the coach of Andy Lee.

Parker, by a close friend and someone whom he calls his brother, Tyson Fury, associated with Lee. Relationships from Fury and Lee changed Parker’s career. He entered, moving to Great Britain and even living with Lee at one stage.

“I think it was a great beginning from Andy and at the beginning it was great, incurring the basics,” explains Parker. “As a warrior, when you were in the game for a while and you start learning recent things, sometimes you leave from scratch. I think that [also] It was essential to get this friendship [with Andy]. “

The Irish and Modern Zealanders are in many respects strikingly similar. Affable and effortless, both people quickly indicate how much they hit their weight much above on the global sports scene.

As for the fight, Lee and Parker are one of the best who come from their countries. No wonder that they made such a sturdy connection. “You can only learn from yourself when you are very close and although we are friends outside the ring and we like to spend time and relax … When the time has come to train and when it is time to start a job, it is very different, it is very different , – said Parker.

Lee did not avoid some home truths about Parker’s performances after two fights with Derek Chisora, claiming that his recent fee tended to turn off during rounds. However, the bond was heavily created.

The progress was then detained in his works with a mistaken defeat with Joe Joyce.

Parker and his team were stunned after the fight, in the first and only knockout of his career. He was poorly beaten and back back on the heavyweight ladder. While Parker said little about it – not wanting to justify himself – the sources said ESPN that the Modern Zelander was so ailing on the night of the fight that in retrospect the fight should probably be delayed. Regardless of this, the damage was caused.

Wins on Jacek Massey and Faiga Opelo returned to the tracks in 2023. Fury manager, Spencer Brown, then organized Parker Fight in Saudi Arabia.

Although it was a much lower amount than Parker’s ponderous caliber, he would usually like to be as busy as possible to take rankings again. It also gave him a chance to impress Turka Alalshikh, He deals with the most powerful person in the ESPN combat sport.

This is what he did with Simon Kean’s effortless knockout.

Then it was great: Deontay Wilder.

Recorded by many Parker, he produced a clinical boxing display, annuling Wilder’s threats and showing extensive experience. Wilder’s victory was a breakthrough moment and he came when almost no one believed that he could do it.

Lee passionately defended Parker at a press conference after a fight, slamming the disrespect that was shown.

“We had to endure many things. Joshua-Wilder; The contract is over, “said Lee. “We have a miniature wardrobe, we have a miniature hotel room. He is at the top of the bill, he is the main event, former world champion. It’s about Wilder-Joshua.

“This man had to endure everything with it. He didn’t fall his head, he just got stuck again. “

The victory over Zhilei Zhang, where he perfectly made the Lee game plan and survived the two charming, confirmed his position as a perilous ponderous weight.

Finally, after he was in the ponderous desert, he has his reward.

There is an argument that Parker is overlooked again this week. Dubois is rightly a favorite and although he insisted that he did not overlook Parker, the way he jumped on the ring after winning Oleksandra Usyk nad Tyson Fury and called Ukrainian suggests that he has already had one eye for the future.

But after he went through, being weaker is exactly what Parker would prefer.

Boxing

Arnold Barboza Teases Potential Devin Haney Title Fight Opportunity

Published

2 hours ago

October 21, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Arnold Barboza Teases Potential Devin Haney Title Fight Opportunity"

Arnold Barboza Jr. dropped word on social media that a massive welterweight title opportunity just landed in his lap on short notice. While he confirmed that 147 pounds is locked in with a belt on the line, he kept the identity of his opponent quiet for now.

Speculation immediately involved Devin Haney after Haney’s anticipated matchup with Shakur Stevenson fell apart. Barboza’s remarks point to a fast-developing opening, even if ink has not officially met paper yet.

“I got some news today. It’s a blessing. I don’t know how real it is, but it sounds pretty real. It might be a big fight sooner than expected,” Barboza said on social media. “I’ll be stepping in at the last minute on some s***, but I don’t know where it’s going to be at, but it’s soon.”

The tight calendar creates the biggest hurdle. Barboza appears fully ready to sign before even knowing the host city, but world championship bouts offer zero room for entering camp cold. Securing an unexpected offer represents one hurdle; having the necessary weeks to dial in a precise tactical blueprint presents an entirely separate challenge.

If Haney ends up standing across the ring, Barboza faces an elite defensive technician. Taking on Haney demands an answer for his distance control, lead hand control, and inside tie ups. Simply tracking him across the canvas without cutting the ring effectively will turn the contest into a frustrating chase.

“A lot sooner than expected. Not no next year fight. A couple of weeks soon. Yeah, I’m fighting at 147. Yeah, it’ll be for a belt. We got to go for legacy,” Barboza said.

Teofimo Lopez also figures heavily into Barboza’s long-range calculations. Barboza sees capturing a 147-pound crown as his quickest ticket to securing a second chance against Lopez after coming up short in their junior welterweight clash.

“It’s not a rematch with Teo. Not yet. I got to win this belt to rematch him,” Barboza admitted.

Holding a world title strap provides massive leverage at the negotiating table. The immediate task requires transforming the sudden opening into an executed contract, setting up a targeted training block, and verifying the sanctioning body timeline.

About the author

Boxing News 24 Desk

BoxingNews24.com has delivered independent boxing coverage since 2007, including original news, fight analysis, schedules, and results. Our experienced boxing writers cover major fighters and events worldwide, with published content reviewed by editors for accuracy.

Boxing

Roy Jones Backs David Benavidez to Defeat Jai Opetaia in Cruiserweight Title Clash

Published

7 hours ago

October 21, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Roy Jones Backs David Benavidez to Defeat Jai Opetaia in Cruiserweight Title Clash

David Benavidez and Jai Opetaia continue to be linked to a future cruiserweight clash, and four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr has had his say on who he is favouring to come out on top in their proposed battle.

Benavidez is in hot pursuit of the undisputed cruiserweight title. He is currently in possession of both the WBA and WBO world titles but expected to next face WBC titleholder Michal Cieslak in a three-belt unification showdown on December 5.

Meanwhile, Opetaia has an ongoing lawsuit against the IBF – who stripped him of his world title for a second time earlier this year – as he hopes to be reinstated as champion and subsequently tee up a meeting with Benavidez for all four belts.

Opetaia is simultaneously being linked to a heavyweight debut, mooted to be taking on Deontay Wilder on the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua undercard in December.

Speaking on the Hall of Game podcastJones says that he expects Benavidez to get the better of Opetaia if they collide.

“I want to see how David fares in that fight [against Opetaia] first [before he moves up to heavyweight]. I think that David probably wins the fight but I want to see how he fares in the fight.”

Should Opetaia not be reinstated as the IBF cruiserweight champion, it is believed that Viddal Riley and David Nyika will meet for the vacant belt. If that were to happen, it remains to be seen whether Benavidez would divert from his three-fight plan in order to capture the undisputed crown.

Boxing

Floyd Mayweathers Comeback: Agrees to Fight World Champion for WBC Title at 49

Published

7 hours ago

October 21, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Floyd Mayweather's Comeback: Agrees to Fight World Champion for WBC Title at 49

Despite being nine years into retirement, it appears that Floyd Mayweather could have a busy year in the ring if the latest claims are to be believed.

The American boxing icon hung up the gloves after a straightforward victory over Conor McGregor took his professional record to 50-0.

He has since fought exclusively in exhibitions, facing social media stars and combat athletes from other disciplines. That looked set to change this year when, in February, it was announced by Netflix that Mayweather would face Manny Pacquiao for a second time. The September fight was billed as a pro contest.

Mayweather then announced exhibitions with both Mike Tyson and Mike Zambidis, leading to legal issues which postponed the Pacquiao event indefinitely.

The 49-year-old recently said that he plans for both the Tyson and ‘PacMan’ fights to take place in December and then 2027 respectively, but Ryan Garcia has now announced on social media that he has agreed to face Mayweather.

“Trust me at first I thought this was bull***.

“But it’s real Floyd and I agree to a fight.

“147 for the WBC welterweight championship of the world.

“50-0 vs The current champ.”

Trust me at first I thought this was bull***

But it’s real Floyd and I agree to a fight

147 for the WBC welterweight championship of the world

50-0 vs The current champ

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) October 21, 2026

Garcia also posted an image that appears to show a video call between him and Mayweather.

Talking about 🥊 pic.twitter.com/x10bCca14Z

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) October 21, 2026

Garcia won the WBC welterweight world title at the beginning of the year by beating Mario Barriosand his stock is as high as ever following a two-round blowout of Conor Benn in his first defence.

He has reportedly now entered talks for a unification against Teofimo Lopez, who is appealing to the WBA to postpone a mandatory fight against Jack Catterall.

Though the WBC would undoubtedly approve Mayweather’s title challenge – as they did for a returning Pacquiao last year – fans will be dubious of Garcia’s claims, particularly given the fact that Mayweather mentioned no such fight in his most recent interview.