While feuds and banter are just another common practice in boxing, Joseph Parker decided to take a different route after his unanimous win against Deontay Wilder. Wilder is a legend of the sport, he had a 42-match winning streak before suffering his first loss to Tyson Fury. Parker on the other hand is a younger 31-year-old fighter. His experience falls behind that of Wilder and yet he managed to win their battle on ‘The Day of Reckoning’.
The card featured many exciting bouts. The four bouts on the preliminary card saw 4 TKOs. While most of them ended the way they were predicted, some shocked everyone. The heavyweight fight between Wilder and Parker was one such battle. Parker took to social media platform Instagram, to show his love and respect for the former champion.
Joseph Parker expresses gratitude towards Deontay Wilder
The fight between the two heavyweights was important for Wilder as it would have opened his way to fight Anthony Joshua next. The upset win for Parker was expected to lead to at least a bit of gloating from the New Zealander’s side. However, Parker wrote a heartfelt post after his win. Parker wrote, “Nothing but respect to my opponent the GREAT bronze bomber.” tipping his hat off for the man he just defeated.
View this post on Instagram
Parker continued by saying how grateful he was to share the ring and 12 rounds with the ‘hardest-hitting’ man in the division, giving evident proof of Wilder’s power. Parker ends his post by saying, “Can’t wait to see you back in the ring champ.” The two showed mutual respect after the fight. While this loss means there are more challenges for Wilder to face before he reaches the top again, it also gives him a great learning opportunity. The Bronze Bomber’s team has shed more light on what went awry during the night of the fight.
Deontay Wilder’s team reveals the reason behind the defeat
During the fight, Frank Warren, the event’s promotional lead, noticed signs of an issue with Wilder. These were later confirmed by Wilder’s co-manager, Shelly Finkel. Although Wilder refrained from making excuses for his loss, Finkel shared information about a pre-fight problem that likely affected his performance. In the eighth round, Parker posed a significant threat to Wilder, rocking him, but the Alabama native displayed resilience and weathered the challenge.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 18: Deontay Wilder looks at the crowd and celebrates after knocking out Dominic Breazeale in the first round during their bout for Wilder’s WBC heavyweight championship at Barclays Center on May 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Anthony Geathers/Getty Images)
Despite facing trouble, Parker strategically employed his boxing skills to evade most of Wilder’s impactful punches, showcasing durability when hit. Warren, in a Talksport interview, acknowledged Wilder’s less-than-ideal performance and commended Parker. Finkel revealed that Wilder had spent an extended time in a cryochamber, hinting at a potential factor. However, Wilder explicitly stated in his post-fight interview that he wouldn’t be offering any excuses for the outcome.
Read More: After Deontay Wilder Upset, There Are Only Two Options Left for Anthony Joshua for Next Fight but There’s a Catch
Wilder and Parker have both shown great sportsmanship refusing to give any excuses or belittle the defeated. Though Wilder was initially considering retirement, he has taken back his words. At the same time, fans wait eagerly to see what challenge Parker will take up next. What are your views on the topic?
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The post “Can’t Wait to See You Back in the Ring”: Joseph Parker Pens Message of “Respect” for Deontay Wilder Following Recent Victory appeared first on EssentiallySports.
