Zach Parker is on the cusp of big opportunities, and the WBO number one rated super middleweight puts his ranking and WBO International title on the line against Manchester’s Marcus Morrison on Frank Warren’s bill at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham this Saturday.
Parker (21-0, 15 KOs) has risen through the rankings after a short spell as British champion, and first took the WBO belt he currently owns in March 2020, stopping Rohan Murdock in eleven rounds in Manchester.
The Derby man backed that win up with a second round stoppage over Vaughan Alexander in March this year, and he was last out in July at the Royal Albert Hall, wiping out Sherzod Khusanov inside a round with a left hook to the body.
With Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez the current WBO ruler facing Caleb Plant for all four major belts later on Saturday night, the chance to face the Mexican star or potentially fight for a vacant WBO strap could well be available should Parker come through his assignment this weekend.
Morrison (24-4, 16 KOs) was highly-touted, but a pair of shock defeats to Jason Welborn and Tyan Booth in 2017, both on the cards, halted the 28-year-old’s progress.
A further upset loss to Alistair Warren in 2018 over eight left Morrison at a crossroads, but seven straight wins, including an impressive one on the road in Italy against Emanuele Blandamura (TKO9) got him back on track.
The 28-year-old was spirited in a one-sided points loss to Chris Eubank Jr in May, but he returned with a routine four round points win over Lewis van Poetsch in August.
Prediction: This is a decent test for Parker, but it’s one he should be able to pass. Once he negotiates the first few rounds, Parker can go on to secure a clear win on the scorecards.
Heaney returns
Big ticket seller, Nathan Heaney contests the vacant IBO International middleweight title against Sladen Janjanin.
Heaney (13-0, 5 KOs) has made swift progress against limited opposition so far, and Janjanin (30-8, 23 KOs) also falls into that category. The Bosnian is best known to UK fans for a defeat to Martin Murray back in November 2019, where he lost all eight rounds.
The 30-year-old is 3-4 in his last seven outings, but is coming off a win, albeit against the 3-36 Edis Dzambas over four rounds a month ago.
Prediction: Janjanin has never been stopped, so Heaney will likely need all ten rounds to seal victory.
Bentley battles Evans
Denzel Bentley (14-1-1, 12 KOs) lost his British middleweight title in his last fight, stopped in three by Commonwealth champion, Felix Cash, and the Londoner returns here against Sam Evans (10-1-1, 3 KOs) over ten.
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Prediction: Evans has only lost in an Ultimate BOXXER tournament, but hasn’t boxed at the same level as Bentley, who should get the job done inside schedule.
Remaining Undercard
Southampton lightweight, Ryan Garner (10-0, 6 KOs) takes a step-up when he takes on Angolan Pedro Manuel Gomes (9-1, 2 KOs) with eight rounds scheduled.
Prediction: Gomes has never fought outside of Spain or Portugal, while Garner has only faced a man with a winning record once before, but should be too good for Gomes in a points win.
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In six round contests at super lightweight, Ethan ‘Jammy’ James (6-0) should record a points win over Stu Greener (3-6, 1 KO), while William Hayden (1-0) can do the same against Lee Connolly (7-63-6).
He can whack 💥
He’s unbeaten ❌
He’s a switch hitter 🔃
He’s number one with the WBO and has his sights on Canelo Alvarez 👑
He’s got all of Derby behind him 👏
On Saturday night @zachparkerboxer wants to make a statement on @btsport 📺 #ParkerMorrison pic.twitter.com/NcS0WwzJag
— Frank Warren (@frankwarren_tv) November 3, 2021
Telford-based super featherweight, Macauley Owen (1-0, 1 KO) can outscore Constantin Radoi (0-2) over four, while at bantamweight, Raheem Muhammed makes his debut, and may need all four rounds to see off Reiss Taylor (3-11, 1 KO).
Irish welterweight Dylan Moran (15-1, 6 KOs) is also due to make an appearance.
