Boxing: More mature Joseph Parker targets KO but also better ring craft against Alexander Flores

Joseph Parker held the WBO Heavyweight title for over a year before losing it to Anthony Joshua earlier in 2018. Photo / Photosport

Joseph Parker is promising to put on a more mature and disciplined performance against his next opponent Alexander Flores in Christchurch in December, conceding his over-eagerness and lack of ring craft cost him against Dillian Whyte.

Parker was knocked down twice in a points loss against Englishman Whyte in London in July; the first, which was the result of head clash in the second round, was the first time he had been floored in his career. Parker was knocked down again in the ninth and while he rallied superbly to knock down Whyte in the 12th, he ran out of time to capitalise.

While he began the fight well at the O2 Arena, Parker probably took too many risks and was hit far too easily. A better balance between attack and defence would serve him well in Christchurch and beyond.

It was Parker's second unanimous decision defeat in two fights after he lost his WBO world heavyweight title to Anthony Joshua and while he knows he must beat American-Mexican by stoppage at Horncastle Arena on December 15, he is determined to be smart in doing so.

"I want to dominate but I don't want to be too eager, either," Parker told the Herald. "Like in the Whyte fight – I was eager to put on a good performance and I started off well but things didn't go to plan. I want to show maturity and patience but be dominant while doing that. I think that's important."

Asked the stoppage question, a manner of victory in which Parker has not been able to achieve since knocking out Alexander Dimitrenko in October, 2016, the 26-year-old said: "That's definitely want I want; how many fights have I gone 12 rounds now? The last five, so it has to be a dominant performance with a stoppage but I'm not going to go looking for it, I'm just going to box and let it happen. When you go looking for it, it makes you too tense."

Flores, a 28-year-old with a 17-1-1 professional record, has insisted he will stop Parker, but has also conceded that is virtually his only chance of winning. The problem for him is if he does come forward and look to engage with Parker then it could be an early night for everyone.

"If he comes in looking for the knockout and is worried about the points – that might cause problems for him," Parker said. "It might play into my hands. I'm sure he's got a good team guiding him and he won't be too eager."

Flores also said that Parker has achieved his dream of becoming a world champion and that the old fire might not necessarily be there.

That, also, has received a counter-punch from the Kiwi-Samoan.

"If anything I have more motivation for this fight," Parker said. "A lot of people think I should finish but I want to be a two-time champion, a unified champion. I want to prove to myself that I still belong at the top. There's a lot of hard work being put in by me and everyone else but it all comes down to what happens in the ring and I have to show improvements and better ring craft."

Parker is two weeks into his 10-week training camp in Las Vegas with trainer Kevin Barry and feels in excellent shape already. He said he was excited by his imminent return to fight at home after three fights in the United Kingdom, and confirmed he would leave for New Zealand after attending the Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury fight in Los Angeles on December 1.

"We're planning on it – we just have to get our tickets sorted," Parker said. "A lot of people will want to go to that fight – it's big for the heavyweight division. If Wilder wins, there will be a mega-fight with Joshua. If Fury wins, that changes the direction of things and the plans that people have."