Joseph Parker Wins Again, but Is He Ready to Take Next Step?

Joseph Parker has claimed professional win No. 12, connecting with a strong right cross en route to a fourth-round knockout over Irineu Beato Costa Jr.

It was the last of a series of clean combinations, which in this instance saw Costa expose his chin after defending a Parker jab. Taking his chance, Parker pounced, flooring his opponent with a fast and powerful right hand.

There is no question Parker is a talent of tremendous promise. Of his 12 wins thus far, the only moment he has really looked in danger of losing was after sustaining a deep head cut against Afa Tatupu.

It was a scary moment for Parker fans. But after being given a round to finish Tatupu off, Parker did just that.

Aside from that moment, Parker has gone unchallenged. Ten of his wins have been in convincing knockouts, while in his two points-decisions, only one judge has not awarded him the victory in every round.

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He has not been fighting complete mugs either. While hardly world-beaters, the likes of Sherman Williams, Frans Botha and Costa are reasonable opponents for a young, relatively inexperienced professional.

So is it time for him to move to the next level?

The World Boxing Association ranks him No. 10 in the world, although the level of competition he is surrounded with is higher than anything he has come up against.

At just 22, Parker has plenty of years ahead of him, and it would seem sensible to err on the side of caution and ease him into fighting the world's best. While he is winning his current fights fairly convincingly, it is clear he is learning plenty from them and comes out more polished every time.

His most impressive quality is undoubtedly his hand speed and his ability to put together clean, fast two- and three-punch combinations.

However, he is becoming increasingly intelligent with how he uses these combinations, as was seen against Costa where he recognized the opening and pouncing. It was ultimately the speed at which Parker executed the classic one-two that undid his opponent.

He possesses a fairly solid punch, too—not perhaps at the level of New Zealand's last heavyweight title contender, David Tua, but solid enough nonetheless. His chin has yet to be truly tested, although he has not yet looked bothered by what has been thrown at him.

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As you go up a level though, these qualities all have to be much more refined. The time to recognize the opening is smaller and the opposition is better technically and capable of firing a few shots back.

Whether he is ready to go up to this level right now is questionable.

While he is still improving, it seems it would be better to continue to fight at his current level or only slightly above it. That way, he can ensure he continues to become more polished.

Perhaps in another year's time he could begin to look at taking on a big-name fighter. But there is no need to rush.

At 22 years old and with 12 wins under his belt, Parker has an exciting future and represents New Zealand's best chance at a world title in over a decade.