OPINION: It's time 'Gentleman Joe' dropped the nice-guy act. If he doesn't, he may find his career is in serious jeopardy in a week's time.
Dillian Whyte's not the boxer Joseph Parker is, but he is a savage. He has been a mongrel straining at the leash in the pre-fight exchanges, and Parker already looks doesn't know what he's got himself in for. Be sure of one thing: Dillian Whyte won't take any prisoners when he steps into the ring in front of a home crowd in London next week with his reputation and his career on the line. If you didn't know better, you'd say Whyte already looks like he wants it more than Parker.
His fans in New Zealand know better. Parker's always been the polite Samoan boy with quiet determination, lightning speed and killer instinct. The trouble is the boy's now 26 years old, a man in his prime. And while the quiet determination remains, some observers have been left to wonder where that killer instinct has been in recent performances where that signature speed hasn't been enough to earn him a comprehensive win.
- David Higgins confirms talks for Anthony Joshua rematch underway
- Whyte claims Joseph Parker is a boxing star because of David Higgins
This has to be a statement fight for Joseph Parker. We're fast approaching two years since he put a man on the canvas. That is about a year too long in the world of heavyweight boxing where big hits are your calling card, and your highlight reel is your selling point to a pay-per-view audience that goes a long way to deciding whether you get a shot at the big boys.
At various stages over the last couple years, Parker's subdued performances have been put down to incompetent referees, short preparation, dodgy elbows and behind-the-scenes squabbling between David Higgins and Dean Lonergan - the co-owners of his promotion company, Duco Events.
None of that matters now. The preparation has been solid. The elbows, we're assured, are sorted. Higgins and Lonergan have completed their conscious uncoupling. Team Parker's got the referee they want. Which is good, because this time there can be no excuses. This time, there can be no judges' scorecards. Parker needs to get in the ring at the 02 Arena and do the business.
If he does, he's 25-1 and remains a top-five fighter, with wins against some of the most respected names in the business, and a sole defeat to the unified heavyweight champion of the world. He remains in the discussion for the big fights against the best: Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and - perhaps at some point - Tyson Fury.
- Joseph Parker accuses Anthony Joshua of 'a lack of respect'
- Ian John-Lewis appointed referee for Joseph Parker, Dillian Whyte fight
If he loses, whether by decision or knockout, he will be 24-2 and at the point of seriously considering his career. His stocks will be low in the all-important UK market where he will have followed up a battling (if not lucky) win over Hughie Fury and a disappointing loss to Joshua with another defeat to Whyte. At 26, it might be back to grind for Parker, fighting in Manukau in front of a home crowd who might start wondering where it all went wrong, and questioning whether he can make it back to the top.
He can. He's done it before. But Parker needs to remind not just the boxing world, but even his most loyal fans, exactly what he's capable of when he gets in the ring to face Dillian Whyte.
Andrew Gourdie is Newshub sports presenter and RadioLIVE Sunday Sport host.
