The Silver Fern

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="611487" data-time="1472784072">
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<p>Final score 41-0 MAGS.  It would have been more if MAGS kicked their conversions.</p>
<p>Southland just didn't have any ball or territory in the 1st half, especially.  Very impressed with Papalii and the capt Reidlinger-Kapa.</p>
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<p>New Zealand Warriors have locked Isaiah Papalii up. Kind of hope he gets out of the contract lol</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="581601" data-time="1463898990">
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<p>Plus an Olympic gold medal  led him to be highly rated before the pro career started . </p>
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<p>True that, every man and his dog in the uk will want to see him go on to be a great</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="581561" data-time="1463885804">
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<p>I don't watch much boxing but one question I have is if Joshua is only 16-0 and has not fought anyone of Takam's ability yet, why is he rated so highly? Is he just knocking guys out with ease ala Tyson?</p>
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<p>Sensational knockouts, sensational build, even better PR company, Best manager in the UK and possibly world boxing = hype</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="581525" data-time="1463875640">
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<p>He got rocked very easily in round 2 against Dillan Whyte, the only time someone has thrown a punch back at him. Unfortunately for Whyte he was too slow to realise and Joshua got away with it. </p>
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<p>AJ is one boxer who can blast his way out of trouble. Might not always work but he has legit knock out power.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="581528" data-time="1463877773">
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<p>some interesting callers on Talkback this morning...some saying it was fixed, some saying Takam shoulda won and some obviously thinking it went to JP as the scores did.</p>
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<p>Apparently Lonergan is gonna look at legal action against illegal streams of the fight, upto 20,000 people watched via 1 apparently</p>
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<p>Parker certainly won the fight 115 - 113 in my eyes - it was close and Takam really should of taken him out of there with his experience, Parkers heart said different. Problem is Takam looked the much better fighter from the 5th round on. What people didnt pick up though was Takams tank was also empty, though he paced himself a lot better than Parker did.<br><br>
Soon as your fighter is shown on major UK or USA tv Lonergan you will never be able to stop the free streams. Obviously they didnt make as much as they thought they were going to from PPV. $49.99 is quite expensive when compare to other prime boxers PPV.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="581513" data-time="1463870498">
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<p>Thanks mtm. My knowledge of boxing is limited to the fact that there are two blokes trying to hit each other. But I've jumped the bandwagon :).<br><br>
You mention Whyte as a potential opponent but I can't see him on that list?</p>
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<p>Whyte is unranked in most divisions, I think he'd struggle to be a current top 40 fighter but I see the UK media shaping a Whyte vs Parker fight already. Meaning Hern would of organized Whyte to be interviewed and on SKY tv UK trashing parker for a potential November showdown introducing Parker to the British public. Whyte is fresh in the public's mind due to his recent ko loss at the hands of Joshua. And id dare say he has a fight left for PPV on his contract with Hern</p>

<p>Congratulations to Parker, he got past a very very VERY difficult opponent.</p>
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<p>This fight proved a boxer should be developed gradually rather than be just thrown in the deep end against a well rounded and experienced fighter. I would dare say this, if Takam had the knockout power of heavyweights like Joshua or Wilder im convinced Parker would of been knocked out. Parker was gassed from the fifth round and lost his punching power. He edged Takam in the crucial rounds due to Takams lack of activity and essentially allowed himself to take a barrage of hits that you simply can no do against a true banger in this division.</p>
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<p>Lets look at the answers we got from the fight in regards to Parker - as he did pass the acid test!<br><br><u>Positives</u></p>
<p> </p>
<p>- Parker has close to if not the best hand speed in the division, an attribute that will steal him rounds if he lives behind that jab</p>
<p>- Parker has huge heart, he was certainly gassed from the fifth round onwards but just dug deep to find the strength to make it to the 12th round .<br>

• Parker fired back under pressure. At many times when Takam was on him loading up, Parker responded blow to blow, to do that showed us when his back is against the wall he doesnt quit, probably the most important attribute a boxer can have. I think Takam took Parker to some dark places in that fight and Parker responded in heart.</p>
  <p>- Parker can take a shot, he has a solid chin against the level of fighter Takam represents as a top 10/gate keeper of the division.</p>
  <p>- Parker found a 2nd wind to compose himself at the end. This took a ton of grit to discover.</p>
  <p>- Parker is only 24 years old and stepped up a long way to fight a battle hardened and very composed Takam. Fights like this can create future champions. This is a fight most fighter would avoid in this division.</p>
  <p>- What Parker and his trainer would of learned from this fight is invaluable. They have plenty to work on to make Parker a more complete fighter now.</p>
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  <p><u>Negatives</u></p>
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  <p>- This was not a highlight reels fight for Parker. Takam was manhandling Parker several times during the fight, it was so bad that if Takam had the power of a Haye, Joshua, Wilder or Ortiz im utterly convince Parker would of been knocked out.</p>
  <p>- Parkers defense under pressure was horrid, he would be exposed by higher ranked fighters. He made it to the end of the fight due to Takam not having ko power in his hands and Parker having a decent enough chin. But make no mistake, Parker allowed himself to take to many shots because he was so tired. Against a boxer like Ortiz, Haye, Wilder and AJ this would of been a KO loss.</p>
  <p>- Parker was throwing many slap shots with his right hand, most landing with the inside of his glove, thats horrible and amateur level stuff.</p>
  <p>- Parker does not have the punching power we though he had. It was missing and dare say while his hand speed is close to the best in the heaveyweight division his power has been overated.</p>
  <p>- Parker looked disorganised, as soon as he was gassed, most structure went out the window, and unto a late 2nd wind at the end parker was gettibg by on heart alone and a chin that could take what Takam threw.</p>
  <p>- Parker is always open to counters, to being crowded and hustled and his footwork poor.</p>
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  <p>So how does this stack up heading into the future and a probable fight in November on the undercard for Joshua. Im convinced they are going to put Parker in with Dillian Whyte. They are going to have him replicate what Joshua did before his Martin fight to set up a future pay per view. Below is a unbiased ranking of the heavyweights, bolded are fighters much more dangerous than Takam that Parker would be wise to avoid for a couple of years and simply develop and target an 18month fight against Joshua. There is not to many of them which is great for Parker. Just take the time to develop him now. His defense needs major work and there is simply no need to rush him after surviving that Takam scare.<br><br>

1. T. Fury 25-0(18) WBA (Super), WBO, IBO, Ring, Lineal<br>
2. W. Klitschko 64-4(53)<br><strong>3. A. Povektin 30-1(22)</strong><br><strong>4. D. Wilder 36-0(35) WBC</strong><br><strong>5. A. Joshua 16-0(16) IBF</strong><br>
3. K. Pulev 23-1(12) EBU<br><strong>7. L. Ortiz 25-0(22) WBA (Interim)</strong><br>
4. J. Parker 19-0(16)<br><strong>9. D. Haye 28-2(26)</strong><br>
5. M. Scott 38-2-1(13)<br>
6. J. Duahpas 34-2-1(21) WBC Silver<br>
7. E. Teper 15-0(10)<br>
8. C. Martin 23-1-1(21)<br>
9. V. Glazkov 21-1-1(13)<br>
10. D. Breazeale 17-0(15) WBC Americas<br>
11. B. Jennings 19-2(10)<br>
12. R. Chagaev 34-2-1(21)<br>
13. A. Tarver 31-6(22)<br>
14. B. Stiverne 25-2-1(21)<br>
15. C. Takam 33-3-1(25)<br>
16. D. Chisora 25-6(17)<br>
17. L. Browne 23-0(20)<br>
18. G. Washington 17-0-1(11)<br>
19. M. Perez 21-2-1(13)<br>
20. A. Spzilika 20-2(15)<br>
21. T. Thompson 40-7(27)<br>
22. E. Molina 25-3(19) IBF Intercontinental<br>
23. J. Miller 16-0-1(14) WBA NABA<br>
24. A. Mansour 22-2-1(16)<br>
25. R. Helenius 22-1(13)<br>
26. A. Ruiz 27-0(18)<br>
27. A. Fedosov 28-3(23)<br>
28. C. Hammer 19-4(10)<br>
29. A. Unistov 33-1(24) WBA International<br>
30. H. Fury 20-0(11) WBO Intercontinental<br>
31. T. Bryan 16-0(11)<br>
32. C. Arreola 36-4-1(31)<br>
33. D. Rossy 30-11(14)<br>
34. M. Wach 31-2(17)<br>
35. S. Briggs 60-6-1(53)</p>

<p>Wladimir threw that last fight, its about money not legacy and his PPV numbers were dropping like a rock. Smartest play he could make to milk it a few more PPV events. Losing to the mega-mouth Fury. He will clean him up next time earning more respect in the long run also.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="JK" data-cid="571278" data-time="1460255872">
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<p>I know right? Tab will still offering manly @ $2.10 when they were 12 nil up. Easy $$</p>
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<p>Haha easy money virtually for free</p>

<p>Yeah you wont win an easier world title in the heavyweight division than that one. Does create some exciting hype for future fights though</p>

<p>Those odds are like Warriors vs Manly last night<br><br>
Warriors $1.22<br>
Manly $2.88</p>

<p>I don't expect Shaun Johnson to carry the Warriors. I do expect Shaun Johnson to carry the football</p>
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<p><img src="http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/sportal_com_au/29/a8/wheres-johnson_1mqawo84k3q1g1kkxp2a0jmp4a.jpg?t=-87985333" alt="wheres-johnson_1mqawo84k3q1g1kkxp2a0jmp4"></p>

<p>AJ blasted Martin out in 2 rounds. Martin was hopeless, didn't even land a punch on AJ and didn't look capable as a heavyweight at all. Interesting that none of the several boxing experts on sky tv UK rate Parker. They all have Takam winning and taking AJ 6 rounds in a mandatory challenge.<br><br>
Really want Parker to beat Takam and shut these guys up.<br><br>
Parker would of beat Martin tonight easy as well. Really scary when you look at how the heavyweight division is shaping up,<br><br>
Wilder<br>
Fury<br>
AJ<br>
Ortiz<br>
Povetkin<br>
Klitskcho<br>
Haye</p>
<p>Ustinov<br><br>
Some super fights there, Parker will really need a strong performance over Takam (who is legit top 10 talent better than Martin) just to get any prime time love. In my mind Ortiz could possibly be the best of the lot.<br>
 </p>

<p>Wow this is HUGE news for the New Zealand rugby union. NAS was the superstar of the u20's and certainly the most talked and hyped up junior player to arrive at the storm since Falou. The guy would add stacks of big athletic talent to the All Blacks pack and is near on impossible to stop one on one.</p>
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<p>New Zealand Warriors will be gutted! they have been after him for the last 3 years.</p>
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<p>Congrats hurricanes if you pull this one off, NZ Rugby will be thankful he is back in Union.</p>

<p>Wow incredible odds being offered on Takam, I really believe Tab is banking on kiwi sentiment landsliding on Parker.</p>
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<p>It took Povetkin until Round 10 to put Takam away in their war. Povetkin is a very talented heavyweight. Deontay Wilder has turned him down on 4 occasions to fight!<br><br>
True odds are always priced out by at least 20 - 30c. So if Parker is paying 1.40 (71% chance of winning) then his true odds the tab value him with on the market are at least 1.60/70 (63 to 59%) which pushes out the overvalue on Takam.</p>
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<p>Tab are saying that Takam only has a 36% chance of winning priced at 2.80. <strong><u>INCREDIBLE VALUE</u></strong>. Perfect odds to hedge your happiness!!!!</p>
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<p>I think if I looked at the two boxers with no sentimentality id price it at</p>
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<p>Takam $1.80</p>
<p>Parker $2.15</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="561474" data-time="1456615776">
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<p>This cracks me up. If a guy isn't fighting top fighters he gets shit, if he lines up a top fighter he isn't ready yet.</p>
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<p>Reality is that the guys at the same level as you aren't going to fight you because of the career risk. You either have to have experience fights below your level or aim high.</p>
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<p>People have been accusing Duco of ripping off the public with rubbish opposition but now they are money grabbing by lining up a bigger fight. No wonder this game attracts thick skinned types that don't give a shit and will spin what they have.</p>
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<p>Mate, look at it for what it is. There is no attack on Duco with this, so no need to be precious. Of course this is about $ for Duco, do you actually think they do it out of love for Parker and the NZ public? - they have rushed Parker into a major dangerous fight - which hey he could win. Takam is <u>seriously</u> decent. From where Parker is currently it is a substantial jump in quality of fighters. Probably a 3 tier jump in standard. Risky - MUCH!<br><br>
Nobody knows what level Parker is at because his resume respectfuly is full of bums and sub par fighters and his last fight against a really low standard in Bergman cringe worthy. To jump up to Takam is BIG, certainly respect tha,t but the only way you can view it as is Duco deciding its time to cash in. Maybe Parker has a limited contract with them, who knows. But its pay day city if he beats Takam that is for sure!</p>
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<p>Fight preparation he is not ready for Takam, but perhaps talent wise he probably is - this will be the biggest and probably hardest fight of his career - easy.</p>

<p>This is a direct quote from David Haye warning AJ not to fight Takam yet just before AJ agreed to fight Martin</p>
<p> </p>
<div>Originally by <strong>David Haye</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">“I’ve heard that the IBF has mandated that he fight Carlos Takam for the No.1 spot for the IBF for Charles Martin’s title. In theory, that sounds fine, but Carlos Takam was a sparring partner I had over for two months. I used him before I fought Chisora. I think he’s bigger, stronger, better punch variety, a better puncher, and a better chin than Chisora. He’s like a third times better version than Chisora. I’m not sure if that’s the right approach for him just yet, because the pressure that he’ll get put on by Takam will be like no other pressure that he’s had before. So is that the route you’re going to go down?”</div>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="561417" data-time="1456595506">
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<p>Parkers biggest concern for me is his conditioning and defense , the last fight in Samoa he was blowing hard in middle rounds </p>
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<p>Latter rounds with a more experienced fighter could be  taking him into deep water , </p>
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<p>And he these  moments,  usually just after he has thrown a combination  where he looks forward , flat footed with his hands low ,  at that moment he looks really vulnerable  to a good counter puncher , </p>
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<p>I dont know so much about Takem and his ability to counter punch , but I would really fear for him up against a David Haye type </p>
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Bang on the money - You wont hear our commentators saying it but Parkers hands speed are falsely covering up his lack of foot movement against weaker opponents. He also has a terrible habit of sticking his chin out. Parkers hand speed will only mean something if his defense and strength are strong. Against Takam he will need EXTRA!! - and Takam will bang his body with bombs, he is a very well rounded boxer. Like a said a really dangerous fight for Parker.<br><br>
If I have a young prospect like Parker that im managing, there is absolutely no way id warm him up for a fight against Takam by fighting Jason Bergman of all people.<br><br>
Takam will be favorite to win this with the bookies overseas, if TAB do something stupid and make Parker favorite then jump on Takams odds as more than likely he will be paying way overvalue! - either way you win though id rather Parker win than pocket money.<br><br>
Take note Takam is a much better fighter than current IBF champion Charles Martin that Parker had to turn down. The irony is Parker had to take the most hardest path to fight the winner of Martin and AJ fight coming up. Martin is cashing out against the weakest possible option in AJ (AJ is not weak but he is the most likely to get beat after Parker for Martin)<br><br>
Duco turned Martin down for a shot because he asked for $5m and Martin was willing to bring the fight to NZ because nobody wants to buy tickets to see Parker in the USA - they dont know him or respect him yet. Duco simply do not have that money. Back to Takam - most people who watch Heavyweight boxing would have Takam taking Martin out within 6 rounds if they were to fight.</p>
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<p>No matter what happens in the Martin and AJ fight and the Parker and Takam fight - no one thing - the IBF is the joke of world boxing, the easiest path to winning a world title and devoid of the serious boxers that matter. BUT Parker wins this then he will have the easiest path to one of the 4 Heavyweight titles and he will be a legit contender from this point forward.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="561344" data-time="1456558328">
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<p>Appreciate your boxing insights meetthemonster, cheers</p>
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<p>Ok if you were held at knife point by the Topp Twins and had to select the winner or face ten years of servitude to them and Aunt Paddy and Selma...</p>
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<p>Who would you pick as the winner of this fight?</p>
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<p>ps. if you get it wrong, you're still saved, but no fence sitting :)</p>
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<p>wow you know this is a really tough one to pick because it is a real fence sitter because Parker if he wins I think he blasts Takam out early, that's the only way I can see the win though. Barry and Duco must surely know more about Parkers ability to throw him in the ring with Takam, than what we have seen previously. It feels rushed to me but .......... they must rate Parkers hand speed and hand power to go this road now.<br><br>
So I do pick Parker to lose this only because I don't think Takam will go all out for the war early. I think he will let Parker set his pace for the first 4 rounds and get comfortable, read his range and then I think Takam will catch him with clean shot, it probably wont be a knockout but for the first time in Parkers career he will go into his shell and Takam will dictate terms. If Parker doesn't go into his shell then obviously then Takam will make it a war and Parker hasn't had a war yet, not a proper one and I think Takam is so solid he wouldn't let a relative rookie in Parker dictate terms.<br><br>
This also would be the first time Parker had bonafide international pressure on him with serious ramifications. Its rushed, its happened so quickly, it smells of money to me but HEY, he could truthfully be a prodigy.<br><br>
I want Parker to win, I am intrigued because Takam by no means is heavy weight champion of the world quality but he is tough as concrete and has more skills than most outside the unified top 10 lists. At 35 his power is still there, his knowledge of the game fully rounded. Parker's speed will be nullified by timing. INTRIGUING FIGHT INDEED and bloody dangerous!</p>

<p>Wow this is a big jump up for Parker! Im not quite sure what to think. This is streets ahead to where he has been at up to this point.</p>
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<p>This is like taking a schoolboy rugby star and throwing him straight into super rugby. Takam is solid! and will certainly be streets ahead from any fighter Parker has faced.</p>
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<p>We will learn quickly exactly where Parker stands as a fighter and the heavyweight boxing world will be watching intrigued.</p>
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<p>I really truthfully thought they would put him in against somebody like a Lucas Browne, Mariusz Wach Robert Helenius type quality - to truly test him out. Win this and waiting will be Povetkin, Puelev, Ortiz and Haye etc after fighting either AJ or Martin. Quite an incredible rise.</p>
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<p>By going after Takam, if he Parker beats him well then ill be satisfied that he is a true wonder kid talent.</p>
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<p>Takam can hit, he loves a war and he has a top chin - he is absolutely solid - what a hell of an exciting fight!!!!</p>