Joseph Parker, one of the top-ranked heavyweights, has named Andy Ruiz Jr. as the hardest-hitting opponent he's faced in his career. This revelation comes as a surprise to many, given the other powerful heavyweights Parker has encountered.
Parker's career has been on an upswing lately. He beat Deontay Wilder on points, defeated Zhilei Zhang in June last year, and recently stopped Martin Bakole in two rounds this February. These victories have positioned him as the mandatory challenger for the WBO belt.
In a recent interview with Casino Hawks, Parker shared his thoughts on the hardest puncher he's faced:
"Andy Ruiz! He had sharp and quick punches which knocked me down. Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce also knocked me down. Those guys are power punchers, but Andy Ruiz's ones are the ones I remember."
Parker and Ruiz Jr. fought for the WBO world title back in December 2016, with Parker winning narrowly on points. Ruiz Jr. later made headlines when he upset Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden in 2019, becoming the unified heavyweight champion.
Recently, Ruiz Jr. drew controversially against Jarrell Miller and has been recovering from a hand injury. His return to the ring hasn't been officially announced yet.
Parker's career continues to move forward. He was originally set to face IBF champion Daniel Dubois, but when Dubois withdrew due to illness, Parker took on Martin Bakole instead, stopping him in two rounds.
The heavyweight division is buzzing with activity. An undisputed heavyweight title fight between Usyk and Dubois is scheduled for July. Parker will likely face the winner of that bout as the WBO mandatory challenger.
Parker's praise for Ruiz Jr.'s power serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of heavyweight boxing, where one punch can change everything. It also highlights the respect fighters have for each other's abilities, even years after their encounters in the ring.
