Parker rumoured to face Shawndell Winters not Mariusz Wach according to Polish media
Reports from Polish media have suggested that it will not be Polish heavyweight Mariusz Wach, who will face Joseph Parker on Feb. 29 at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, but American veteran Shawndell Terell Winters.
The source of this news comes from a recent tweet from former boxer turned television commentator Maciej Miszkin. The 36-year-old Miszkin is a boxing commentator for Polsat, one of Poland’s largest TV networks.
Jednak nie Mariusz Wach a raczej goszczący na naszych galach Shawndell Winters ma być przeciwnikiem Parkera 29 lutego w USA.
— Maciej Miszkin (@MiszkinMaciej) January 30, 2020
The translated tweet reads roughly “However, it is not Mariusz Wach, but rather Shawndell Winters, who hosts our gala, that is to be Parker’s opponent on February 29 in the USA.”
Former IBO Light Heavyweight Champion Andrzej Fonfara, responded to Miszkin, saying that he had spoken to both Winters and Winters’ manager and that the American is due to fight Parker.
Potwierdzam ! Rozmawiałem wczoraj z Shawndellem i jego Menadżerem . Po sparingu z Michałem Olasiem który pomaga w przygotowaniach i vice versa 👊🏼👍🏼
— Andrzej Fonfara (@andrzej_fonfara) January 30, 2020
“I confirm! I spoke to Shawndell and his Manager yesterday. After sparring with Michał Olas who helps in preparations and vice versa” Fonfara said in response.
If these tweets are correct, it would explain why there has been a delay from Matchroom Boxing USA in announcing Parker’s opponent after local NZ media reported it was likely to be Wach.
Winters would be an unexpected choice and is not a name widely known to the New Zealand boxing public. The 39-year-old has a record of 13-2-0 with 12 of his wins coming via knock out.
Winters came to boxing later than most fighters, only taking up the sport in 2008. His amateur record is 47-4, and he is a two-time Chicago Golden Gloves champion, earning the accolade in 2012 and 2014. In 2014 he also made it to the finals of the national Golden Gloves tournament.
He fought twice in Poland in 2019, which, if this news is accurate, may explain how Miszkin managed to get the inside word on who would be facing Parker.
However, boxing bouts get made and unmade in the blink of an eye, so until there is confirmation from Matchroom, NZ fans will be kept waiting and wondering.
New Zealand Fighter has reached out to both Matchroom Boxing and Winters’ team asking for comment but has yet to hear back.