JOSEPH PARKER SET TO FACE SIMON "GRIZZLY" KEAN

Lupesoloai La’auliolemalietoa Joseph Parker, the former WBO heavyweight champion to face Simon "Grizzly" Kean (In Pic) (Photo: Heavyweight Boing)

On October 29 in Riyadh, Simon "Grizzly" Kean will face Lupesoloai La’auliolemalietoa Joseph Parker, the former WBO heavyweight champion.

Parker's last outing was against Faiga Opelu, which he won by way of knockout with a first round stoppage during their bout a few months ago.

While most boxing fanatics think Parker's heyday as an explosive fighter is behind him, the former champion still holds a lot of respect among the top fighters in the division.

Kean on the other hand has won 23 of his 24 fights by way of knockout, stopping 95% of his opponents along the way. He has only lost once, to compatriot Dillon Carman in a shocking knockout that he later avenged.

The most recent of those triumphs came in March when Kean stopped two-time world championship challenger Eric Molina (29-9, 21 KOs) in seven rounds to bring his winning streak to eight and position himself for the biggest chance of his career.

Kean and Jessy Ross Thompson, Parker's trainer, hold Parker in high regard and are wary of the Samoan's skills in the ring.

They prefer the possibility of an unexpected outcome, nevertheless.

Kean, speaking with confidence, complimented Parker's "boxing IQ" and said, "I think I can surprise Parker.

Although he is not as physically fit as Anthony Joshua, he has excelled in the ring thanks to his great intellect.