New Zealand's own Joseph Parker is set to square off with hard-hitting Brit Dillian Whyte in what shapes as a pivotal fight for both men.
Can Parker put himself back in line for a rematch with Anthony Joshua?
Newshub sports offers its 10 cents below.
Brad Lewis – Digital sports producer
This is really tough to call.
Technically, I'm convinced Parker could outbox Whyte for 12 rounds in the same way Anthony Joshua did to him.
However scoring a decision win in Whyte's backyard is unlikely. Whyte is aggressive, which leaves holes, but he doesn't miss often so Parker needs to be sharp.
If Parker can make Whyte work the first half, i see the Kiwi scoring a stoppage late in the piece, but if he can't stop the Brit, he's not getting the nod on the judges' scorecards, unless he is completely dominant.
Parker by KO in the ninth round
Andrew Gourdie – Sports reporter/presenter
We’ve been promised an explosive fight between these two. Someone’s getting knocked out, etc, etc.
But you’ll remember we heard exactly the same talk ahead of Parker’s fight with Anthony Joshua, before Joshua went against his word and fought smart, fought defensive, and did what he needed to do to win.
I think we might see Parker adopt elements of Joshua’s approach when he steps into the ring with Whyte.
Dillian Whyte is an aggressive fighter and he’ll show it from the opening bell, but I’m not anticipating a brawl at the 02. I expect Parker, the younger but more experienced fighter in the bout, to take a more measured approach. He’ll weather the early storm, seek to control the space with his jab, and ease his way into the fight before taking control during the middle rounds.
Team Parker’s talked about the need to put on a show and throw more punches, which he will. I’m just expecting the action to come deep into the fight. Round 8 onwards might be where Joe starts to throw, and chase the knockout that’s been so elusive over the last couple of years.
But he won’t risk the win for the sake of a knockout. This is why Joe needs to manage the early rounds, giving him the comfort of knowing that if the fight goes to the judges cards again, he’s done enough in the early rounds to ensure he moves to 25-1.
Parker to win by late KO, or decision.
Stephen Foote – Digital sports producer
This is a massive litmus test for Parker.
His last fight may have been for a world title, but the stakes are arguably higher against Whyte this weekend. A loss would be a devastating blow for his career, a one-way ticket back to fighting tin cans at ASB Stadium. On the flipside, he could be thrust immediately back into Anthony Joshua's short-term path.
For all the talk of Parker rediscovering his aggressive edge, when it comes time to jump in the ring I think he'll be happy to do whatever it takes to get his hand raised. He hasn’t scored a knock-out in almost two years, I don't see him chasing power shots with this much on the line. Pacing will be critical to his cause.
That will likely mean weathering the early storm from the notoriously fast-starting Whyte, whose M.O is always to put his opponent on the mat, then looking to impose himself in the mid-to-late rounds behind his ever-reliable jab.
The later the fight goes, the further the pendulum swings in the South Aucklander's favour.
A statement K.O would obviously be enormous, but first and foremost – Parker needs to get back in the win column.
Parker by unanimous decision
Ross Karl – Sports reporter
Joseph Parker should win this.
Dillian Whyte has big power but is a limited boxer, with average foot movement. Parker can take a heavy shot and has a greater skill-set, therefore should win by at least unanimous decision, if not a late stoppage.
However, for the sake of his marketability he needs a good knockout. It's been almost two years since he's had one. He needs the world to take notice, even if he appears to have a rematch with Anthony Joshua in the offing.
Parker to win by late KO, or decision.
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