Deontay Wilder Vs Joseph Parker Tips
Deontay Wilder Vs Joseph Parker Tips
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will look to move a step closer to a fight with Anthony Joshua by beating Joseph Parker on Saturday.
The American returns to the ring for the first time since October 2022, and a win in Riyadh could put him in line for a crack at Anthony Joshua, who takes on Otto Wallin in the headline fight in Saudi Arabia.
Parker, a former world champion himself, has won three fights in a row this year since losing to Joe Joyce in Manchester last year.
Tip 1 - Total Rounds - Under 6.5 @ 23/25
Wilder's fights are never boring, to say the least, and his CV suggests this contest should be another explosive battle.
Only two of Wilder's fights have gone the distance, although he was able to correct one of those distance-finished when he stopped Bermane Stiverne in 2017, two years after beating him on points.
British heavyweight Tyson Fury is the only man to beat Wilder - the pair having drawn the first fight of their trilogy, with the Briton victorious in the next two - so the former WBC heavyweight champion will not have any confidence issues ahead of his clash with Parker.
While Wilder has had a long break, Parker is perhaps more fight-ready, so we expect both men to come out of the blocks looking for a stoppage.
Parker knows if he can catch Wilder early, he can command his respect and stop him charging forward, while Wilder has never been a fighter that has enjoyed long nights at the office.
If the 38-year-old catches Parker clean, this fight is ending early in Saudi Arabia.
Tip 2 - Deontay Wilder Rounds 1-2 @ 13/2
Parker may be seven years younger than his opponent, but he has gained plenty of experience during his 11-year career. Having won the WBO heavyweight crown in 2016, he has been on the biggest stage a number of times.
Parker is experienced, tough, and quick, but whenever he has stepped up against the elite in the division, he has come up short.
The New Zealander showed plenty of heart against Joe Joyce last year, but was stopped by the British star, and there's a good chance that also took plenty out of the tank.
Parker's confidence in his chin may not be as strong as it once was, and if anybody is going to test it, it will be Wilder.
Wilder has a height and reach advantage over Parker, and should be able to put it to good use. The Alabama native has his critics and is sometimes difficult to watch, but he has power like no other heavyweight and more often than not he finishes his opponent in the first round. We think Parker has a good enough chin to survive a heavy blow but if two heavy Deontay Wilder strikes land, the New Zealander could find himself staring at the ceiling early in the bout.
Wilder wants the big fights before he retires, and he needs a huge performance, so expect him to load up early and look for a big finish inside the first half of the contest.