Parker's career has seen him face some of boxing's biggest names. In 2018, he became the first fighter to take Anthony Joshua the full 12 rounds, though he lost that bout. He's also notched wins against Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, the latter seeing Parker hit the canvas twice before winning on points.
When asked about the heaviest hands he's encountered, Parker didn't hesitate:
"I would say Andy Ruiz. It's like a shock. When he hits you, because of the speed and power, your whole body goes 'woah.' He's the one I felt the most because of the shock and the speed."
This statement might surprise many, given the other power punchers Parker has faced. He's been in the ring with Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, Dillian Whyte, Derek Chisora, and Joe Joyce. Yet, it's Ruiz's combination of speed and power that left the biggest impression on the Kiwi fighter.
Parker's next challenge comes on February 22 when he faces Daniel Dubois for the IBF world title. This fight gives Parker a shot at becoming a two-time world champion. The bout will take place in Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of the light heavyweight rematch between Dimitri Bivol and Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed championship.
Looking ahead, the winner of Parker vs Dubois could find themselves in line for an undisputed showdown with Oleksandr Usyk, potentially as soon as 2025.
Parker's comments about Ruiz's punching power came during an interview with First Round, where he shared his experiences facing some of the heavyweight division's most formidable punchers.