Joseph Parker, the boxing pride of New Zealand, is in preparation for an upcoming bout in Saudi Arabia set to take place next month. His anticipated return is scheduled for Oct.28 in Riyadh. It will feature Parker as part of the fight card for Tyson Fury’s crossover bout against former UFC heavyweight champion and current PFL MMA superstar Frances Ngannou.
Parker will be pitted against Simon Kean, who boasts an impressive record with 22 knockouts and is notably taking a huge step up in competition after spending the majority of his career in The Great White North. On the other hand, Parker is known for his reign as the WBO heavyweight champion and has long awaited this particular opportunity to appear on Fury’s undercard. Despite expressing his efforts to fight alongside his friend in the past, this event will mark the first time it comes to fruition.
Parker vs. Kean: Tale of the Tape
| Joseph Parker | VS | Simon Kean |
| 31 | Age | 34 |
| 32-3 | Record | 23-1 |
| 22 | Knockouts | 22 |
| 4 | Title Fights | 0 |
| 6 feet 3 Inches | Height | 6 feet 4 Inches |
| Orthodox | Stance | Orthodox |
| May 24, 2023 | Last Fight | Mar 23, 2023 |
| 2 wins | Win Streak | 8 wins |
Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou has become quite the spectacle following a recent trend of “gimmick” boxing bouts. Alongside the already announced Fabio Wardley vs. David Adeleye, which remains on track despite Wardley’s cuts from a press conference brawl, the card will also feature Joseph Parker taking on Simon Kean and Martin Bakole facing off against Carlos Takam.
This will be Parker’s third fight since his loss to Joe Joyce almost exactly a year ago. In 2023, he has already secured back-to-back decision wins against opponents who were clearly outmatched. His upcoming opponent, Simon Kean from Quebec, boasts an impressive record but is primarily known for defeating an ageing Eric Molina back in March, something that doesn’t pose much of a threat to his championship experience of Parker.
Full Fight Card
Parker vs. Kean isn’t the only fight of course. There is a whole host of exciting fights taking place on the card on 28th October.
- Heavyweight Bout – Tyson Fury (33-1-0) vs Francis Ngannou (debut)
- Heavyweight Bout – Fabio Wardley (16-0-0) vs. David Adeleye (12-0-0)
- Heavyweight Bout – Joseph Parker (32-3-0) vs. Simon Kean (23-1-0)
- Heavyweight Bout – Carlos Takam (40-7-1) vs. Martin Bakole (19-1-0)
- Heavyweight Bout – Arslanbek Makhmundov (17-0-0) vs. Agron Smackici (20-2-0)
Parker vs. Kean: Expert Analysis, Odds, and Prediction
The clash between Parker and Kean is expected to be one-sided, with Parker being the clear favourite. This event will mark a significant milestone in Kean’s professional career. But for Parker, this fight represents a journey toward rebuilding his reputation.
A triumph in this bout would assist Parker’s position as he aims to back up the heavyweight division rankings, but what determining factors make him such a significant betting favourite over his Canadian foe?
The levels of experience are worlds apart. Parker possesses countless strengths in comparison to Kean. Although Kean may have a slight height and reach benefit, Parker’s extensive experience and track record against high-calibre opponents provide him with an advantage. Kean has only suffered a defeat at the hands of fellow Canadian Dillon Carman, and he has limited exposure to fighting outside of Canada. Conversely, Parker has consistently confronted top-tier competition throughout his professional journey, including heavyweight champions.
The oddsmaker’s favourite isn’t a point fighter by any means. Still, Parker’s limited punch count can be attributed to his throwing technique and its application in his attacks, and it doesn’t necessarily mean he can’t win on the scorecards. He employs a style reminiscent of Larry Holmes, using the jab primarily to set up his power strikes. He opts to flick or slap the jab rather than putting substantial force behind it like many heavyweight fighters. And it’s those power shots that pay dividends on the scorecards, or better yet, when a KO/TKO situation presents itself.
We shouldn’t be surprised to see the best NZ online gambling sites heavily favouring Parker. The question shouldn’t be if Parker can win, but how? Especially for bettors, who’re met with a 3/25 (-830) price tag on the outright market. As Kean couldn’t hang with Dillon Carman on the Canadian regionals, and his chin was compromised in this contest, backing Parker to add another KO win to his tally feels like the best wagering approach for value hunters.
Prediction: Parker by KO/TKO
Parker vs. Kean: Key Statistics
- Based on their statistics, Kean has a significant power advantage over Parker, boasting a knockout percentage of 96% compared to Parker’s 69%.
- In terms of age, Joseph Parker is three years younger at 31 years old.
- Parker stands at a height disadvantage of one inch compared to Kean.
- Parker has a greater level of expertise as a professional fighter. He has participated in 11 more fights and debuted in 2012, three years and four months earlier than Kean, whose first professional bout occurred in 2015. Parker has also competed in 132 more professional rounds, accumulating a total of 223 rounds compared to Kean’s 91.
- Joseph Parker currently holds rankings of number 10 by the WBC, 6 by the WBO, 6 by the IBF, and 8 by the RING in the heavyweight division.
The Main Event: Fury vs. Ngannou
Fury’s WBC championship will not be on the line for this bout. The fight will be officially recognised and included in both Fury’s and the boxing newcomer Ngannou’s professional records, but the WBC title will not be up for grabs during Fury vs. Ngannou.
Enthusiastic fans are expressing disappointment with Fury’s selection of opponent, perceiving it as a cheap and opportunistic money-making move aimed at capitalising on former UFC heavyweight Ngannou’s popularity among MMA fans. Nevertheless, Fury’s dedicated supporters from the UK will likely still purchase the event due to his enduring popularity, despite the absence of a formidable opponent since 2021.