Zach Parker exclusive: I’m ready to get back out there

For most fighters, a wide unanimous victory over a former world champion would be something to look back on with pride. But Zach Parker can’t wait to get back in the ring this Saturday and prove to people that he is much better than he showed during his win over Tyrone Zeuge in March.

Illness forced Liam Davies to withdraw from his fight on Queensberry’s latest multi title ‘Magnificent Seven’ show, and Parker, 24-1 (17 KOs), was offered the chance to step in and put the frustrating night behind him. When his phone rang offering him the chance to get back in the ring and fight Jack Arnfield live on TNT Sport, the super middleweight couldn’t say ‘Yes’ quickly enough. For all the latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.

“It’s good to be back”

“I’m taking every fight as they come. I want to be a bit more active than I have been over the last few years. I’ve been injured a couple of times but I’m fully fit now. The more active I am, the better I am,” Parker told 32Red.

“You saw that when I first got with Frank Warren. I was flying then. You don’t want to be just plodding on, doing nothing. You want to be getting out there, moving forward and getting these big fights on. It’s good to be back out. It’s bad news from Liam’s end but I’ve taken it with both hands.”

The fight with Zeuge was supposed to be both a showcase and the final obstacle between Parker and the big time but things didn’t go quite to plan. The German fighter failed to make weight on the Friday and then deposited Parker on the canvas for the first time in his career in the second round. The 30-year-old from Derby calmly got up and boxed his way to a wide decision win but didn’t make the exciting impression he had hoped to.

Boxing fans tend to have short memories and Parker knows that beating Arnfield in impressive style will quickly switch the narrative again.

“It was a more tricky fight than what I was expecting,” Parker said. “I think most people thought Zeuge was on his last legs but he showed that he’s an ex-world champion for a reason. It wasn’t my best night. He came in five or six pounds heavier than me at the weight. I had a few things I was dealing with but now I’m ready to get back out there.

“I’d love to become a road warrior”

“That’s the funny thing with us humans isn’t it? People get crucified and then a couple of months down the line we forget and think about what’s just happened in front of us. We have quite short memories. Look at the likes of Tyson Fury. Everyone was all about him when he beat Deontay Wilder but he had his little setback with Usyk and everyone jumps on the bandwagon and says he’s finished. I don’t think that’s the case. I thought it was a really close fight.

“Everyone just thinks about the present don’t they?”

If Parker can reignite his career against Arnfield, numerous avenues and pathways will open up for him. He is open to a move up to light heavyweight and the chance to mix with the likes of Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yarde and Willy Hutchinson but would also dearly love to win a world title at super middleweight where the likes of Saul Alvarez, David Morrell, Edgar Berlanga and Diego Pacheco live.

The idea of going across the Atlantic to take on one of those big names appeals to Parker but, for the time at least, his mind is closer to home.

“I’d love to do things like that. The same as James DeGale, become a road warrior. I’d love to be that kind of fighter. I’ve always wanted to box in America and if it got offered to me I’d jump at the chance. Obviously, at the moment though I’m fully focused on Birmingham and Jack Arnfield,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to it”

“I’ve moved over to Birmingham to train. I’m fully focused and have no distractions so it’s all systems go. Looking after my daughter can be a full time job in itself. It’s good to unwind on your own and you’re just fully focused on the mission in front of you. I want to get a really good win in Birmingham and then we can push on again.”

Arnfield has competed at the highest level – even beating John Ryder back in 2016 – but has suffered personal issues outside the ring and recently returned from a six year lay-off. If the short notice opportunity was a surprise for Parker, it came right out of the blue for Arnfield but the 35-year-old will know that he can make up for all that inactivity in one fell swoop with a win.

Parker knows that he can’t allow that to happen. If he is going to fulfil his potential, he needs to begin stringing performances together and he is determined to kick start things in style on Saturday night.

“It’s gonna be a good fight. He’s had a few good wins in his career. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“He’s been a bit inactive over the past couple of years. He had a fight earlier this year. It’s probably his last chance saloon. That’s the way I think about fights every time. I never go in there thinking they’re going to take it easy. They’re going to give it everything and try to take my spot so I’ve got to be on my A-Game and perform how I do in the gym.

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