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Joseph Parker Edges Closer to Getting a Shot at a Heavyweight Title by Beating Carlos Takam – Boxing News

Do you think Joseph Parker is ready for a crack at one of the Heavyweight Titles?

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JPBy Dave “Madcap” Mroczek

Another solid heavyweight has emerged in the top five discussion, fight fans. Joseph Parker, 19-0, 16 KO’s is the man, a 24 year old prospect out of New Zealand, who took his first big step up early this morning against heavyweight stalwart Carlos Takam, 33-3-1, 25 KO’s. It was a tactical, yet pleasing, but not overly exciting fight to watch, with both men having the other in trouble and each trying their best to win it.

In the early going of the fight both men measured each other, neither willing to go straight after their man. Parker’s hand speed and quick jabbing allowed him to pick up the points in the early rounds, with Takam seeming to pull his punches a little, not wanting to spend energy until he had timed his man. Towards the middle of the fight Takam pressed the action more and showed off some of his better work, clubbing Parker with some hard looping shots, and some very effective counters. Parker, however, proved he was game at the top ten level, and each time Takam tried to gain the advantage Joseph would storm right back, displaying the lightning hand speed and Jack Dempsey-esque overwhelming combos that made him such a highly regarded prospect in the first place.

In the middle rounds each man appeared to be gassing out alternatively, one would tire and the other would come on, and so on. After catching Takam with a good right hand counter, Parker attempted at one point to get his man out of there, throwing everything at him but the kitchen sink, but to no avail. Takam would withstand the onslaught and almost caught Parker gassed himself afterwards. From there on out Takam was still trying to win the fight, but clearly was slowing down, and his punches looked to be in slow motion when compared with the sharp, fast offerings from Parker. The fight ended with two tough competitors on their feet, and the clear winner’s arm raised in victory. Joseph Parker had emerged victorious, but had been tested to the limit.

Parker’s speed and combination work is certainly world class. He will have a bright future at the top of the heavyweight division. At age 24 he has plenty of time to continue improving and will certainly feature in some very large fights to come. He was there to be hit, and his defense leaves some things to be desired, but he showed some solid whiskers and took some very hard shots well. This was his first step up versus an opponent who really stood to give him trouble, which Carlos Takam did. Parker fought a smart fight, not over extending himself, and when he did become tired he was wise beyond his years and made sure to give himself a chance to recuperate before pressing the action again. Things didn’t go his way as he may have been used to in his previous fights, but he adjusted well and made sure to do what it took to win the fight. His power was clearly not as pronounced as it was against the “C” level opposition he had been in against thus far, but his hand speed proved a great advantage and his ability to string together 3, 4 and 5 punch combinations was immediately reminiscent of Jack Dempsey pummeling Gene Tunney to the canvas in the famous long count fight.

Carlos Takam, at age 35, still has a fair bit of fuel left in the tank. He gave Parker all he could handle in there, and is certainly as hard as a coffin nail. He took a lot of good shots fairly easily, and was smart not to tire himself out as well. He clearly had a plan to be patient, time Parker, and hoped to get Joseph out of there in the middle rounds. While he tried valiantly he just didn’t have enough to get the job done. There should be no shame in this loss for Takam he gave a great fight, and proved he is a tough competitor that can hang in there with anyone. His punches just don’t seem to have that top quality look to them, and the deficit in hand speed in this matchup was glaringly apparent. That said, his punch resistance is excellent, and he threw some great counters in the fight. Carlos Takam would give a tough fight to anyone in the world at this point, just may not have the skill to win at the very top level.

There we have it fight fans, the next chapter has unfolded in this increasingly intriguing heavyweight soap opera. Glad that this episode was about a good, old fashioned, hard fought, heavyweight contest and not a failed drug test or pathetic mismatch for a change.

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