Date: 28/07/2018
Venue: O2 Arena
TV: Sky Sports Box Office
Joseph Parker can push his claims for a rematch with Anthony Joshua by beating Dillian Whyte at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.
Both boxers have only suffered one defeat in their professional careers, each losing to heavyweight world champion Joshua, but Parker is a far more polished fighter in our book.
The Kiwi became the first man to take AJ the distance in Cardiff earlier this year and is rated a rock-solid selection at 4/5 in our Whyte vs Parker betting tips.
Parker suffered a wide-margin points loss that night, but still enhanced his reputation as having good hand speed and a rugged durability.
Last year’s win over Hughie Fury in Manchester also proved an ability to perform on the road, while Andy Ruiz and Carlos Takam are notable scalps on a 24-1 record in the paid ranks.
A well-schooled amateur in his younger days, the 26-year-old former WBO title holder can put his superior skills and fitness to good use by grinding out a points victory at 7/4 for our second Whyte vs Parker prediction.
Kiwi can wear down Whyte
Whyte’s sometimes reckless gameplan provides a nice contrast to the scientific approach preferred by Parker and he deserves this chance to break into the big-time.
The Jamaica-born Londoner rattled Joshua in round two of an entertaining December 2015 bout, when the British and Commonwealth titles were on the line.
However, his stamina limitations were later exposed when suffering a seventh-round stoppage.
The 30-year-old has regrouped well with seven subsequent victories, improving to 23-1 when knocking out the previously unbeaten Lucas Browne at this venue in March.
A change of nickname from ‘Dillian the Villain’ to ‘The Body Snatcher’ reflects the fact that Whyte has become a more disciplined professional.
We just fear he lacks Parker’s tactical nous and greater fluency, though, which can prove decisive as the fight goes on.
On the undercard, Takam is fancied to show more desire and hunger than Dereck Chisora to secure a 57/100 success.
Takam performed with great credit as a late stand-in against Joshua last October and went the distance with Parker a couple of years ago.
Chisora has always been explosive but may now lack the determination to dig deep when the going gets tough.
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