By: Sean Crose
Former world champion Deontay WIlder returned to the ring on Saturday to face Joseph Parker, another former world champion, in a scheduled 12-round matchup. The winner of the tournament held in Saudi Arabia would have a bright future ahead of them. The loser? Perhaps the twilight of a career. Wilder, 42-2-1, looked much taller than the 33-3 Parker in the early moments of the fight. For the most part, though, the first round consisted of each man feeling out the other. Parker tried to attack his man in the second, while Wilder, perhaps the hardest hitter in boxing history, waited patiently for an opportunity to unload.
The fighters re-evaluated each other in the third, leading to occasional flurry action. The fourth was more eventful, with Parker throwing hard as he came in. By the fifth it was clear that Wilder could not unload on his man. By the middle of the fight, the fighter known as “The Bronze Bomber” was probably losing points. Wilder pitched poorly in the sixth. He only did it once, but it was worth wondering if he was now looking to increase the pressure on Parker.
Both fighters exchanged leather in the seventh. Neither of them was hurt, but the temperature of the fight was rising. Parker hurt Wilder in the eighth with a powerful right hand. Seizing the opportunity, Parker risked everything and hit Wilder. The American was able to survive the round, but Parker, the loser, was showing that he could not only win, but also from a distance. To his credit, Wilder threw his sledgehammer in the ninth, but not often. In the tenth, it became clear that Wilder, for some reason, was simply shy.
Parker tagged Wilder with overhand rights in the eleventh. When Wilder tried to move, Parker withdrew. Wilder finally got back to his old ways in the twelfth and final round. However, Parker was ready to meet the challenge and Wilder could not be saved by his power. The judges later gave Parker the victory.
A total and shocking surprise.
