Joseph Parker produced a major shock last night, with the Kiwi securing an unexpected victory over Deontay Wilder via a unanimous decision in their heavyweight bout in Riyadh. In the aftermath of the fight, Irishman Andy Lee has received a huge amount of praise for his role in masterminding the win.
Parker entered this fight as the underdog, with this being viewed by many as somewhat of a tuneup bout for Wilder. With Anthony Joshua also fighting on the card, it was anticipated that the American would face the Englishman in 2024 after they both came through this event.
However, once last night's fight got underway, it quickly became apparent that this would be a long night for Wilder.
Parker dominated for large periods, producing a number of excellent combinations to go along with some devastating power shots.
HOW ON EARTH IS WILDER STILL STANDING! WHAT A SHOT BY PARKER. #WilderParker #DayOfReckoning pic.twitter.com/5Z2j7p84nA
— Lights Out Boxing (@lightsoutboxin) December 23, 2023
Joseph Parker right hand jeeeeez 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/k27ctfeadF
— West Ham Xtra (@WestHamXtra) December 23, 2023
In the end, he would win comfortable on the judge's scorecards.
Soon afterwards, Andy Lee would receive plenty of plaudits for the part he played.
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Andy Lee was in a feisty mood after Wilder-Parker
Deontay Wilder has now suffered three losses in his professional career, all of which have featured Andy Lee in the opposite corner. The first two came against Tyson Fury, with Parker being the latest fight to benefit from having the Limerick man as his trainer.
Lee is widely regarded as one of the most skilled trainers in the sport, with his influence on full display last night. Parker spent time in Dublin training in recent weeks, as well as travelling to the UK to spar with Fury.
Many were quick to praise the role he played in leading Parker to victory.
That’s a shutout win for Parker imo! Never seen that coming! Well done Joe & Andy Lee! 👏👏 the tactics where spot on! 👏👏
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) December 23, 2023
For all 3 of Deontay Wilder's career defeats, Andy Lee has been in the opposite corner. Kronktonite
— Kevin Byrne (@KevByrneBox) December 23, 2023
Wilder was awful but don't take anything away from Joseph Parker's performance and the game plan from his cornerman in Andy Lee. Terrific.
— Chris McKenna (@cmckennasport) December 23, 2023
Andy Lee is such a fantastic coach. No hype, just small nuggets of wisdom that his fighter needs to hear. #DayOfReckoning
— Philip O'Connor (@philipoconnor) December 23, 2023
His impact was not lost on the fighter himself.
Speaking after the bout, Joseph Parker was full of praise for Andy Lee after he helped mastermind the win over Deontay Wilder.
Joseph Parker and his trainer Andy Lee heap praise on one another at their post-fight press conference after beating Deontay Wilder…
[🎥 @Queensberry] pic.twitter.com/WBnIMYOphs— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) December 24, 2023
Andy said to me before the fight, 'fight fire with fire'. If you're trying to run away from the right hand the whole time then that's his plan. We went in with our own plan and we stuck to it and this is the man with the strategy.
You need to take your chances.
High praise.
Lee would also have some kind words for Parker on the back of his resurgence over the last 12 months, as well as call out the way his fighter had been overlooked in the buildup to this particular event.
This week we've had to put up with a lot of stuff about Joshua-Wilder, that the deal is done. We had a tiny dressing room and a small hotel room.
[Parker] top of the bill, he's the main event, he's a former world champion. Joshua, he's driving around in a Rolls Royce. You know what I'm saying? There's all this talk and all these press conferences, it's all about Wilder and Joshua.
This man had to put up with it all. He didn't get demoralised, he didn't get his head down. He just dug in again and showed how strong he is.
Top class.
Lee would soon take to social media to celebrate his own record in 2023.
Ged dup https://t.co/GoTfaDMQUP
— Andy Lee (@AndyLeeBoxing) December 24, 2023
Some man.
Andy Lee can now enjoy himself over the festive period after he capped off a remarkable year in style. You get the sense that he plans on going even bigger in 2024.
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