Zach Parker: ‘I’m Ready To Rock And Roll”
This weekend, the top super-middleweights collide for a shot at major gold. Zach Parker, ranked number two within the WBO, clashes against Rohan Murdock, ranked number one. The fight will take place on March 7 inside the Manchester Arena.
Parker (18-0) is a British Super-Middleweight Champion. The 25-year-old’s last fight was a TKO-win over Steven Crambert back in May. It was his twelfth win via knockout. As he trains for a new challenge, Parker is ready for what could be the biggest fight of his career.
“This has been the best camp I’ve ever had,” said Parker. “I’m flying. All my gears are going and I can’t wait to get in there. I’m ready to rock and roll. I’ve had a longer camp this time and I’m in tremendous shape. I’ve been doing some different bag drills and a lot more sparring for this one.”
Sparring with Giovanni De Carolis, a former WBA World Champion, Parker is looking to gain any sort of edge over his opponent. Murdock (24-1) is coming off of a unanimous decision win over Rolando Wenceslao Mansilla back in 2018. That was for the WBO Oriental Super-Middleweight Championship. Away from the sport for a while. Murdock is still deadly, accumulating 17 wins via knockout.
Parker knows what is on the line. Although there is no recent footage of Murdock, that will not stop Parker from keeping an extra eye on him.
“I’ve watched a bit of Murdock but I don’t really watch a lot of my opponents,” Parker went on to say. “I usually just concentrate on what I’m doing because every fight is different. He will probably bring a different game plan into this fight so I’ll be read for whatever style he brings. I expect this to be my hardest fight so far but I’m ready to go. He’s won 24 out of 25 so you know it’s going to be a good fight.
“This is the most important fight of my career so far. He’s number one and I’m number two. We’re both going to go at it to see who can come out on top and get a shot at the title. I’m 100% confident I will be number one after March 7th.”
The WBO Champion is currently Billy Joe Saunders. It is being reported that he is on a collision course with Canelo Alvarez. If that were to happen, Parker would have other options if he beats Murdock. There’s Callum Smith, the WBA and The Ring Super-Middleweight Champion, as well as Caleb Plant, the IBF Super-Middleweight Champion. Smith beat John Ryder back in November to retain his titles while Plant just beat Vincent Feigenbutz via TKO on February 15. Parker see’s an opportunity if at least one of his options isn’t available.
“For me, it’s between Caleb Plant and Callum Smith for who’s best in the division,” Parker stated. “Callum Smith didn’t look too good against John Ryder, he looked a bit iffy so I would have to go with Caleb Plant, but I would fight either.
“If Canelo decides to fight Saunders then he could be next for me. That’s the kind of fight you come into boxing for. Fighting under the big lights over in America. That’s a fight I would love and I think I would cause some problems for Canelo because of my awkward style. That’s 100% a fight I would love.”
Parker v. Murdock takes place on the same card as Scott Quigg v. Jono Carroll. You can watch the fight on Sky Sports and DAZN.