Tomorrow (Thursday, October 15, 2015) at the Trust Arena in Auckland, New Zealand 23-year old heavyweight prospect Joseph Parker (15-0) takes the next step on his career path as he faces hardened veteran Kali Meehan (42-5) in a bout scheduled for twelve rounds. The sport books have not listed an over/under for this bout, but Parker is a big (-2575) favorite over Meehan, who is returning at (+1300). Meehan is 45 years old, and he has been off for roughly a year. In 2014, he won three fights on his way to winning an eight man tournament and he “retired” in November after defeating veteran Shane Cameron. Meehan did state around that time that he would come back for a big fight, and this is it. Meehan has guided his 20 year old son illis Meehan to a (3-0) record as a pro boxer, so he has been hit by young men a lo in sparring. The younger Meehan is raw, and he spends most of his time playing professional rugby, but should he blossom in boxing a revenge match with Parker over the beating his father is about to receive could happen. Because Kali Meehan is going to be on the losing end of this fight. To his credit, Meehan is the type of fighter who will give his best and it is unlikely that he is just there for the paycheck, but if Parker takes another step up in his development and ends this fight early, it will look like Meehan was there for a money grab. Willis Meehan is on the undercard in a scheduled six round bout. Parker’s career is guided by Olympic Silver Medalist Kevin Barry, who did not turn pro but rather dedicated himself to training fighters. He has been around for a long time, and since the beginning, Parker has been his star student and he has been guided with big long term plans in mind. It is safe to say those plans go beyond Meehan, as Parker has already served as a sparring partner for Wladimir Klitschko and he has done portions of past training camps in Las Vegas. Joseph Parker is a name to watch in the Heavyweight division, and if him and his handlers have their way, you will be hearing his name for years to come. Also on the undercard is Australian Olympian Jeff Horn (11-0-1) ask he seeks to add to his collection of regional belts when he faces Alfredo Rodolfo Blanco (15-3) of Argentina in a 10-round bout. With Horn and Willis Meehan on the card, it is very possible that the books post more lines.
