Boxing: Beato a big threat to Parker

Joseph Parker fights Sherman Williams during the Heavyweight title bout between Joseph Parker and Sherman Williams. Photo / Getty Images

Joseph Parker has had to adjust his focus ahead of the Fight for Life now he will face WBO world No 15 Irineu Costa Beato jnr instead of American Vinny Maddalone.

After Parker entered the world's top 10 in the WBA last week, boxing promoters Duco Events decided to change his opponent for the December 6 event at Hamilton's Claudelands Arena, lining him up against the hard-hitting 34-year-old Brazilian.

Parker's trainer Kevin Barry says his charge faces a big challenge to maintain his impressive form and record and finish off a busy year in style.

"It's a pretty big fight to finish the year with," Barry explained. "We are fighting an opponent that is very dangerous, the Brazilian champion, and an opponent that Joseph will need to be very focused and very disciplined against.

"We've had a tremendous year. This is Joseph's fifth fight in the last seven and a half months. We have to make sure now that we close the year out in good style."

The 1.91m Beato has knocked out 80 per cent of his opponents and has never been knocked out. His only defeat came just over three weeks ago, in a points decision against world No9 Christian Hammer in Germany. That result worries Barry.

"The fact that he is coming off the first loss of his career just a few weeks ago makes him a real threat to us. We know he is match fit. It's a danger sign because he'll be looking at Joseph's No10 world ranking and looking at this as an opportunity to get himself back into the rankings again."

Sparring sessions against Polish fighter Izuagbe Ugonoh have helped Parker.

"[Ugonoh's] now 10 and 0 with eight KOs and he's 6"5 [1.98m]. The fact that Joe's been sparring him for the last three weeks is definitely going to be a help to us fighting Irineu Costa Beato jnr. [Ugonoh] also has much faster hands and is probably a better skilled boxer."