Wilder wants Anthony Joshua… but Parker stands in his way (Picture: Getty)

As we continue our countdown to the biggest boxing show of the year on 23 December, the former Olympian and heavyweight contender explains why Joseph Parker poses a huge threat to Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia.

Inactivity a problem for Wilder?

Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker is a great match-up in Saudi Arabia next week and while there will be a lot of focus on making that Anthony Joshua fight later down the line, Wilder has a tough job on his hands here first.

Wilder has fought just one round of boxing in over two years – that demolition job on Robert Helenius in October last year. Parker on the other hand is very fresh and active, having fought three times this year alone, including that great knockout win over Simon Kean on the Tyson Fury vs Franic Ngannou undercard.

The activity argument is an important one you can’t ignore. You can’t substitute real fights for anything. Wilder’s inactivity will play a little factor, especially against a clever fighter like Parker with another very clever man in Andy Lee in his corner. Wilder might just be a second out with his timing which is so important for him and those two will be thinking that is something that works to their advantage when it comes to managing the tactics of the fight.

But if you are doing the right things in the gym, sparring often and hard, and living the right life like Wilder appears to be doing, it isn’t as vital. And he looks in great condition. Wilder is very experienced and has a very good coach in Malik Scott.

Yes, their recent fight activity could be a defining factor, especially when you consider Wilder’s age too. But if you are banking on Wilder being rusty, it is a dangerous game when you consider what a complete athlete like he is. Wilder is approaching 50 fights which is incredible in this division. He is so experienced.

Wilder destroyed Helenius inside one round last time out (Picture: Getty)

Parker better now than when he was world champion

But we mustn’t forget Parker is so experienced as well. Look at the names on his record, he has fought some of the top contenders and champions around. It was seven years ago he won the WBO heavyweight title and I think he is a better fighter now than he was then. The only problem is everyone else has got a bit better in that time too.

After Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk is settled I think we are looking at a situation where those world titles will be spread out across the division again and when that does happen, I am sure Parker can win another one. He’s had tough fights against people like Joe Joyce which was a brilliant losing performance.

Joe was given everyone nightmares at that point and Parker exploited a lot of faults that night until exhaustion and the physical differences between the two took their toll. He didn’t stop throwing punches that night. He is a really good fighter, well-schooled and has a really good team around him having also spent the last few years training with the lineal world champion of the world in Fury.

Parker is the former WBO heavyweight champion (Picture: Getty)

He is certainly a dark horse in this fight. It definitely won’t be a blow out. Experience is massive when fighting someone like Wilder. If he can avoid taking big shots early on, he can take advantage.

He is an intelligent fighter who won’t be standing on the end of those punches. He’ll know that if he can get inside that reach, he might just be able to chip away at Wilder. No one should be sleeping on Joe Parker.

The concern for Wilder is always what happens if he doesn’t find that big shot to take you out. But then again, but he did a lot of rounds with Fury across those three fights. If you are able to be in a competitive fight with Fury, you can box anyone on the planet.

Wilder looking for another savage knockout (Picture: Getty)

He has developed a lot of patience fighting that way. It is rare for him to go through a whole fight and not land that big right or that left hook. He is going to land at some point. He will know there is no rush. He is the kind of fighter who will lose a lot of rounds before he lands that shot.

We know about the size advantage, the reach advantage and that concussive power. Add in the fact he has been working so closely with Malik Scott to be an more rounded, better fighter, he has the edge.  

Edwards vs Rodriguez will be a classic

Before the giants of the sport collide, there is a brilliant fight down at flyweight to look forward to this weekend when Sunny Edwards and ‘Bam’ Rodriguez meet with the IBF and WBO belts on the line.

It is one I am really looking forward to and I have to give Sunny a massive shout out. He has refused to let size and weight deny him the credit he deserves. He makes all the noise and can fight to back it up.

Rodriguez and Edwards meet on Saturday (Picture: Matchroom)

A lot of fighters around that weight should be thankful to Sunny because he has driven a lot of the noise and attention their fights should be getting.

He is bringing glamour to these weight classes. With these guys, the huge skill levels they have goes unnoticed because they are not six foot tall and 18 stone. But these are pure boxers.

The technical level is huge, so many tactics into it and lots of clever stuff goes on in the corners. It is the sort of fight I absolutely love to watch and I hope everyone is getting behind Sunny to bring another world title back home.

Whatever happens this weekend, there is massive career ahead for both men.