Two fights, one possible sequel
Zach Parker meets Umar Dzambekov at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday, and he is already thinking about what comes next. A win over the Austrian could set up a rematch with Joshua Buatsi, possibly with a world title attached.
Dzambekov is a real danger. He has produced some brutal one-punch finishes, including a second-round uppercut knockout of Ahmed Elbiali. Parker doesn’t pretend otherwise. “It’s probably a harder fight than the Buatsi fight,” he said. “This is the boxing game. Put them in front of me and I’ll go out and beat them.”
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The grudge is quieter, not gone
Buatsi won a tight points decision against Parker last year, and Parker still disputes it. “Every man and his dog walking down the street, the first thing they say to me is you defo won the Buatsi fight,” he told Sky Sports. He added that he isn’t as bitter as he used to be.
Buatsi sees it differently. He said he couldn’t comprehend being on the canvas so many times and thinking you had won, calling Parker’s approach a spoiler’s style. Even so, he is open to doing it again, provided both come through their next fights. “I’ve always been open to fighting these guys and taking these fights,” he said. “First and foremost I have to handle business.”
His business is a second fight with Willy Hutchinson for the vacant WBC light-heavyweight title on the same night. Buatsi expects a better Hutchinson than the one he beat two years ago, but he has had two fights since and says he has faced stronger opposition. Parker versus Dzambekov streams on Sky Sports’ digital platforms from 5pm UK time on Saturday.
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