Boxing fans and pugilistic purists alike should be getting a lift at the development and progress in the career of the new young Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker, a 'boy' out of South Auckland and like his predecessor, the celebrated David Tua, another boxer with a Samoan heritage.
There are many notable things about the progress of Joseph Parker, possible foremost his size and speed from a physical sense though it's his easy manner and relaxed style that make the young man appear so likeable. He's no trash talker and he respects his opponents in a sport that has seen fighters claiming to be going to eat the children of their opponents, drink their blood and a range of bizarre things that sometimes shunt boxing into a similar realm as that of 'professional wrestling.'
There are stories yet to happen that will be told about Joseph but at this early point there is something that stands out to me as most significant - Kevin Barry. The same man who guided and nurtured David Tua is playing a role in the early career of Joseph. An Olympic Silver medalist with a family pedigree in boxing. Kevin Barry seems like one of the nice guys of NZ boxing and many will recall his commitment to David Tua and his apparent shock when David convinced himself that Kevin was no longer acting in David's interests. While that story is somewhat consigned to history in a negative way, the 'Parker factor' brings another dimension. Joseph Parker has and will benefit from the Tua-Barry legacy, the experience of that legacy is hard to value or put a price on but I think it is fair to say that it is an immense advantage for the 'new' generation boxer Joseph Parker.
Doors have been opened for him with trusted hands of experience. I doubt that Kevin or David Tua have less than not often considered how differently they might have done things in hindsight, yet it is that hindsight that is gifted an opportunity to Joseph. Kevin Barry will understand more now about handling a young fighter than in his time with David - he's older and wiser. His 'product' appears to be different psychologically at this point in that it was very obvious to most observers that David often found himself in 'dark' places and his career was often characterised as how his father made him as a boy 'fight' men in order to upskill him and strengthen the young Tua. Boxing is full of fighters from tough backgrounds but to this point Joseph is showing no signs as struggling with a checkered past - to the contrary he looks well grounded and intelligent to go with his natural size and ability. He's also savouring his work, the last couple of months training in the States has obviously motivated him and no doubt for all the rounds he sparred there was matching 'down to earth' talking from his mentor Kevin. Stories told about where things can go wrong, about ego, fear and determination. kevin like any trainer will be working 'inside' the head of Joseph and Joseph will respect Kevin for where he has been and what he has done - a nice combination.
Things go a little further though. Kevin Barry was an 'outside' fighter, sharp jab and rangy. He had to teach David different skills than those that were Kevin's naturally. I believe that will be exciting an inspirational for Kevin, he will be highly motivated to work with a boxer who is 'designed' to fight from the outside but who also needs to be use to 'anchoring down' in his hips in order to throw the heavy punches that will develop in the arsenal of Joseph as he matures.
In one of the most 'perilous' of trades a boxer is always going to be judged by his next fight, so it is with some anxiety that the public will watch Parker square off with the venerable journeyman and former contender Botha - the man who exposed our 'National Heavyweight' Champion earlier this year as not being durable under heavy punishment. An exciting night beckons, though I expect for many the expectation abroad will be for a good effort for the young heavyweight, a credible win, and further progress in what it is hoped will be a long career to match or exceed that of another South Auckland young man of earlier times.
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