Joe Parker and ‘One Smack’ Massey clash on Eubank-Smith card
The announcement of the Joseph Parker (30-3, 21KO) vs Jack Massey (20-1, 11KO) heavyweight clash on the Eubank-Smith undercard was a surprise to most.
From the Peak District, Massey has operated as a cruiserweight his entire career, which began in 2013. He has only weighed in above 200lbs twice in 21 bouts and the highest he ever scaled was just 205lbs.
When offered this fight, just six weeks ago, he claimed he simply couldn’t turn it down. He has sparred plenty of heavyweights before and has even sparred with Parker in the past. However, he is going in with a man that’s 2inches taller and weighed over 255lbs in his last fight, so it’s set to be a huge step up for him.
One-beaten ‘One Smack’ Massey was crowned IBO World cruiserweight champion in 2021, but disappointingly failed to progress from that triumph and only managed one fight in 2022 against heavy-handed Czech Vaclav Pejsar. Despite winning within a few seconds of round two, Massey was staggered by a big right hook in the opener but managed to stay upright on unsteady legs to come firing back strongly.
His sole defeat was in a British cruiserweight title showdown to Richard Riakporhe, who is still unbeaten in 15 fights and on the cusp of a world title shot in 2023. Two judges scored the fight closely at 115-113 to Riakporhe, a 10th round knockdown costing him his chance at the national championship.The Derbyshire man has a fine jab and uses it copiously. He is light on his feet, which could give him an advantage in his move up to heavyweight; he moves well and is a busy, volume puncher with a great engine, but he is often susceptible to the right hand coming back, perhaps because he leads with his left so regularly.
Despite this weakness, his only knockdown was somewhat questionable as it came from the force of Riakporhe’s inside arm and not actually from a punch. He only actually slipped down to one knee and wasn’t really floored properly or hurt. He was even the better boxer in that round where he was down.
New Zealander Parker is a former world champion, whose only losses have come at the highest level to two-time world champ Anthony Joshua, world title contender Dillian Whyte, and WBO mandatory Joe Joyce.
Against Joyce, he took a lot of heavy shots, eventually halted by a potent short left hook in penultimate round, so he endured over 30 minutes of brutal punishment. But he dished out as much as he received, landing so cleanly and heavily upon Joyce, who is known as the ‘Juggernaut’ for a reason – he can just walk through anything.
Trained by Andy Lee, Parker has been down before and was stopped in his last fight, so Massey knows he has a chance of hurting the Kiwi. However, he proved in his last fight that he is so tough and also displayed his power too, Joyce stayed standing under heavy artillery that many others would have been in trouble.
Betting Odds
The experienced, career heavyweight Joseph Parker is the expected favourite to win at 3/20, with Briton Jack Massey an outsider at 28/5. The odds for a draw are unusually high at 30-1.
Predictions
If Massey had chosen a warm-up fight up at heavyweight first, then progressed to somebody like Parker, then perhaps this fight would be a bit different, but, as it stands, this might be a too experienced, too powerful opponent in a new, unchartered, higher weight category.
Plus, his lack of activity is going to go against him too. He was scaffolding full-time last year instead of training, so just six weeks notice to prepare for a former heavyweight world champion who has gone 12 rounds with big punchers Joshua and Whyte, and 11 rounds with Joyce, is going to be too big an ask, in my opinion.
I think Parker will be too tough, too big, too experienced and powerful for Massey, and will win by knockout. It’s difficult to put a number on it because Massey hasn’t shown many signs of being overwhelmed or staggered in fights, so the man is teak-tough and should have quite a few rounds in him. Parker’s previous three wins were on points over 12-rounds, so there’s a strong chance this fight could go the distance instead.
Things you didn't know about Joseph Parker
