Derby’s Zach Parker made a winning return to the ring after nearly retiring from the sport after breaking his right hand in his last fight. The BcB fighter lost his first contest when he took on John Ryder in November of last year having to retire at the end of the fourth round after breaking his hand. This contest was for the WBO interim world super Middleweight title and would have possibly propelled the Twenty-nine-year-old into a World title fight against Canelo Alvarez. Parker told TNT Sports after his winning return that after his first defeat with the injury he went into a dark place and thought of retiring but after getting back into training I got the fire back in his belly. Parker also stated that he would like to fight Anthony Yarde next and was happy to move up to light Heavyweight.
Parker was on the undercard of the Zhang vs. Joyce rematch live on TNT Sports and promoted by Queensberry Promotions which was held at Wembley Arena (23.9.23). Parker was taking on a very durable opponent in Khalid Graida who had won ten and drew four out of Twenty-six contests but had only ever been stopped once in his career.
Parker weighed in twelve stone four with Graida coming in twelve stone one with John Latham reffing. Parker didn’t skip a beat as he switch-hitrounds his way through the first three rounds handing great combinations from southpaw and Orthodox with great movement and really hurting Graida near the end of the third. Graida’s durability was being tested by Parker in round four and five as the Derby man picked his shots well going head and body in a master class in boxing. Parker boxed cleverly in the sixth and seventh dismantling Graida with great movement and some eye-catching combinations dominating the round and the fight. Gaida’s corner pulled him out just before the start of the eighth round.
Parker wins TKO 7th Round.
Dexter’s Thoughts
Dominant performance by Parker who becomes only the second fighter to stop Graida. His right hand looked completely mended and at points, he led with it when he switched to southpaw. The talent was there for all to see and then calling out Yarde offering to move up in weight to take him on. They are both Queensberry fighters so I think it would be an easy fight to make and at the moment the light Heavyweight division is one of the honest around. Tonight Zach proved he is definitely back and is ready to take on the big boys and with the skills and speed the BcB fighter showed tonight I think he will ask a few questions if he moves up.