Individuals have struggled within the cruiserweight division as of late, with 2011 being the final time they held a belt at 200lbs. Nevertheless, there’s now a brand new contender within the division, who has impressed the likes of George Groves and Corridor of Fame coach Jesse Reid.
After a troublesome upbringing in Chicago, Craig Parker has emerged from what he describes as a ‘poverty-stricken neighbourhood’ as each a beacon of hope and, in his eyes, a champion-in-waiting, desperate to not solely conquer the world however to take action as a person of the folks.
As is the case with many stars of the game, Parker’s childhood was removed from nice. Somewhat than conceal from that truth, the 35-year-old embraces it and wears it on his sleeve, decided to show that anyone, from any space, can accomplish what they need with the proper mentality.
In an unique interview with Boxing Information, the 35 year-old defined how he fell in love with boxing and the way he utilised the ring as an ‘escape’ from the fact of his hardships.
“[When I found the gym], that’s the first time that I ever felt that I may accomplish one thing in my life, I confronted my fears. As a child rising up, I used to get bullied and picked on and I grew up in an abusive family, I assume that God needed me to face my concern, get up for myself and realise my dream.
“Once I learnt how one can struggle, I by no means let no one benefit from me. The ring was an escape for me, I may have finished all the things incorrect within the neighbourhood that I grew up in, all the things was occurring, however I stayed focus, stayed disciplined, and boxing put a hook on me that I simply couldn’t let go of.
“It’s essential to recollect the place you got here from as a result of that’s what created you and as your journey progresses you learn to be a superb man. That’s simply what I wish to be on the finish of the day, a superb boxer, however a superb man, as nicely. You wish to be the folks’s champ and provides again to the children and the people who find themselves much less lucky.”
As knowledgeable, Parker halted his first 20 opponents with out combating past the second spherical, incomes a spot because the #14 ranked contender with the WBA.
Nevertheless, he was then demoted from that place to accommodate YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, a call which he branded ‘disgusting’.
The American puncher was then anticipated to make his UK debut in Cannock again in September, on a present promoted by Scott Murray, who has shut ties to Parker’s legendary coach Jesse Reid, however the struggle was cancelled.
Somewhat than sit idly, Parker opted to return to motion instantly, combating stateside in opposition to a 7-7-2 Dionardo Minor in Nashville. Minor went the complete 10 rounds, dropping a unanimous determination however placing a cease to that spectacular knockout streak.
Reflecting on that efficiency, Parker sees the scrap as reassurance that he possesses the required fuel tank for fulfillment.
“I used to be a bit bit leery about every spherical as a result of I’d by no means been the space however as I went, I simply felt an increasing number of comfy. If you end up within the gyms, you spar this many rounds, you bounce rope this many rounds, you hit the bag this many rounds, the one factor that you just concern is the oxygen.
“None of that stuff performed an element within the struggle and if it went 12, 15 or 30 rounds, I believe that I ready ok for every spherical and I used to be so pleased with myself to go that many rounds.
“I proved that I can go as many rounds as they put in entrance of me, however I want to get ‘em all out within the first if that’s potential.”
Now, Parker has flown to the UK to go to gyms, spar and think about accepting one other struggle on British soil, the place the cruiserweight division is full of title hopefuls.
Requested about potential British opponents, Parker stated he was content material with being on the top of name outs moderately than making them himself.
“We’re simply getting acclimated and all the things however the time [in the United Kingdom] has been nice. It’s been superb, we respect all the things, being right here at the moment within the gyms is superb and plenty of different gyms too. It’s positively someplace the place I want to struggle sometime.
“I don’t have any British cruiserweights in thoughts however when the chance finds itself and the enterprise is finished, then we are going to deal with it from there. No names or nothing like that but however I’m primary, so I assume that everyone else must be calling my identify.
“I don’t know who the primary opponent of 2026 might be, however I’m seeking to do the identical factor that I began off doing – taking ‘em all out.”
After witnessing ‘Strain’ Parker spar his prospect, Lucas Roehrig, former WBA super-middleweight ruler George Groves advised Boxing Information of the standard of the front-footed customer, believing that he has the proper mentality and angle to reach the game.
“He’s a extremely good fighter and he has bought a superb angle. It’s a extremely essential factor to have a superb angle and, for those who don’t, it’ll maintain you again in boxing however he’s a superb lad, we’ve had some good work and he’s good to look at.
“He’s enjoyable to look at. He isn’t the most important cruiserweight by way of his top, however he’s stocky and he punches with spite and he appears to set his photographs up nicely. He’s nice to look at and he has bought an entertaining fashion, so that you’d actually wish to tune in to see him, there’s nothing damaging about him or his fashion.”
In the meantime, coach Jesse Reid, who has guided 31 fighters to world titles throughout his close to 50-year profession within the nook, in contrast the high-octane Parker to a ‘clean-living Mike Tyson’ when stating why he believes his man will finish america’ cruiserweight drought.
“I’d describe him as a clean-living [Mike] Tyson. An individual that’s actually critical in regards to the sport, he takes it severely. He’ll take any problem; he’s not afraid of it and that’s no essential. I’ve been round lots of nice fighters in my time, and I actually assume that Craig goes to be my thirty second world champion.”
Assured, charismatic and positively not content material, Parker’s need to succeed in the top of the game was infectious as he signed off.
“I used to be created to be the primary cruiserweight, the cruiserweight world champion. I used to be created to be what I’m. I do know that I’m the primary cruiserweight, and I do know that I’ve bought the most effective coach on the earth. My group and the those that I encompass myself with are positively going to make me a world champion.”
