By Ian S Palmer
Joseph Parker of New Zealand squares off against America’s Brian Minto on July 5 as Parker will be defending the interim PABA heavyweight title for the first time. Minto is somehow the current WBO Oriental heavyweight champion and both titles will be on the line in this bout at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau City, New Zealand.
The 22-year-old Parker may not be that well known by most North American and British boxing fans, but he’s the number two ranked heavyweight in his native New Zealand. He’s unbeaten up to now in his young career and will be entering the ring with a perfect record of 8-0 with 7 Kos. His last bout took place on April 26 when he beat Marcelo Luiz Nascimento by a seventh-round TKO in a scheduled 10 rounder in Germany for the interim PABA heavyweight crown. He previously won the New Zealand Heavyweight Championship with a second-round TKO over Afa Tatupu back in October of 2013.
The 39-year-old Minto of Butler, Pennsylvania, carries around a mark of 39-7 with 25 Kos. He’s also been stopped three times during his career. Both he and Parker have good power and that could be a deciding factor here, as well as their ability to take a punch. Minto’s last outing was a seventh-round win over Shane Cameron last December for the vacant WBO Oriental Heavyweight Title in New Zealand. The fight ended when Cameron couldn’t make it off his stool for the next round.
Parker will be stepping up in class here since he hasn’t really fought anybody of note as of yet in his career other than beating former champion Frans Botha of South Africa by a second-round TKO last summer. However, Botha is well past his prime now. Minto has taken on the tougher opposition, but is a small heavyweight at just 5-feet-11-inches tall with a 72-inch reach.
Prediction
Since both boxers have better-than-average power in their fists we’ll likely see this bout end before the 12-round distance. Minto has a lot of heart and determination, but is reaching the twilight of his career now at the age of 39. Parker is an up-and-coming heavyweight who’s 17 years younger and has several inches in height advantage. Although Minto should put up a good fight, expect to see Parker win it, likely by a stoppage.
