Boxing: Joseph Parker has to go the distance to defeat Jack Massey

Joseph Parker throws a right against Jack Massey in their heavyweight bout at the AO Arena in Manchester. Photo / Getty

Seeking to ignite another career rebuild, Joseph Parker could not deliver the spectacular finish he craved against competitive British cruiserweight Jack Massey in Manchester on Sunday.

Four months after the damaging first knockout loss of his career against fellow Brit Joe Joyce, Parker desperately wanted an eye-catching performance after tumbling from second to eighth with the WBO.

While Parker was never troubled in the unanimous decision victory – the judges scoring the 10-round fight 96-93, 97-92, 97-93 in his favour – he was unable to land the desired knockout blow in an effort that fell well short of the desired revolutionary return on the Chris Eubank Jr-Liam Smith undercard.

The result leaves Parker’s last knockout victory coming against little-known American cruiserweight Shawndell Winters in February, 2020, to continue lingering questions about his power.

Parker controlled the centre of the ring throughout against Massey to land several heavy shots in rounds three and four but ultimately failed to capitalise or utilise his 14kg weight advantage. His best shot of the night came in round six when he caught Massey with a sharp upper cut, but he was also ponderous in the later rounds.

Massey finished with a cut above his left eye but he took Parker’s best shots, and landed a few of his own as the fight progressed. On the whole, though, Massey largely adopted a defensive, evasive strategy which made it difficult for Parker to trade as he had hoped.

The fight was competitive at times but blighted, too, by Massey often clenching – a frustrating tactic that saw him deducted a point in round eight.

Despite suffering the second loss of his career to fall to 20-2 Massey, in his first fight as a heavyweight, will take more from this outing than Parker. The former IBO cruiserweight champion worked as a scaffolder prior to Christmas and last fought nine months ago.

After five fights in the last three years Parker is keen to make up for lost time in 2023. Having trained through Christmas and New Year for this return Parker will spend time with family but is eyeing at least two more fights this year.

“Jack Massey we knew he was going to come prepared and ready. He put on a good performance,” Parker said after the fight. “He was moving a lot which made it a bit difficult. If he came forward it would have been a different fight but congrats to Jack for going the 10 rounds and the good fight.”

Rematches with former British foes Dillian Whyte, Joyce, Anthony Joshua or squaring off against the likes of American Michael Hunter, Robert Helenius and Gerald Washington shape as possible future opponents but at this point in his career, Parker’s marketability needs a defining performance to propel him back into contention and regain interest.

At this point, after this underwhelming performance, his stocks continue to decline.

Frazer Clarke, the (5-0) Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist who won on the undercard against Kevin Nicolas Espindola, also challenged Parker after watching him struggle against Massey.

“I’m game as badger. That’s what I’ve been saying all week, I’m here for it.” Clarke said. “I have a lot of respect for Joseph Parker and his team and what he’s done, but it’s about time I give myself the credit, I know what I can do.”

This was Parker’s fourth fight since switching from Kevin Barry to Irish trainer Andy Lee’s tutelage. Other than Parker’s impressive performance in his rematch with Derek Chisora in December, 2021, there is limited evidence of definitive improvements from the pair’s partnership.

Lee’s post-fight comments, when asked what he wanted to see Parker to do next, were telling.

“More of everything,” Lee said. “Pick up on everything; feet, head, sharper with everything. I think he’s just beginning again. It’s a rebuilding process. The 10 rounds will do him good. It’s very hard to look good with someone who is being so negative. Those are the hardest opponents to look good against. You saw when Jack stood and they traded it was a good fight but it was too little, too often.”

Indeed. In many respects Parker’s rebuild remains awaiting liftoff.