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Classic Fury shenanigans left Joseph Parker scrambling for a replacement opponent for the first defense of his WBO heavyweight title. Sparring partner Razvan Cojanu stepped up, giving Parker what looked like the perfect target for the sort of brutal knockout the Kiwi slugger used to be known for.
Best laid plans, etc.
The folks over at the Telegraph did a live blog of the fight, which appeared to consist largely of Parker (23-0, 18 KO) trying and failing to deliver a quality finish while Cojanu (16-3, 9 KO) smiled, talked, offered decent defense, and landed the occasional punch. Parker came away with the decision, but found himself with a massive target on his back.
All I'm reading is you wanna see me Vs @joeboxerparker . I sign for this and his reign is over real quick, how much you want it? @EddieHearn
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) May 6, 2017
I don't rate joe Parker please make this fight please please @SkySportsBoxing @EddieHearn @MatchroomBoxing #TEAMBODYSNATCHER
— Dillian Whyte (@DillianWhyte) May 6, 2017
Form an orderly queue to challenge Joseph Parker pic.twitter.com/JblxOxtG0E
— BoxingTipster (@AgainstTRopes) May 6, 2017
"Hands up if you want to challenge Joseph Parker for the WBO Heavyweight title next.." pic.twitter.com/lTQ2QZ50td
— KO KINGS (@KOKINGS4) May 6, 2017
️ "Joseph Parker could be a great next fight for Joshua."
— bet365 (@bet365) May 6, 2017
Meanwhile in London... pic.twitter.com/C6Czh6DTmM
Someone like Whyte (WBO #8) or Jarrell Miller (WBO #3) would actually be a fairly good opponent for Parker, dangerous but limited enough to make it interesting. This fight seemed to confirm the notion that Parker simply isn’t ready for the likes of Anthony Joshua or even Deontay Wilder.