Relentless Parker in last round stoppage

Parker works away at Blandford at close quarters. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

CONNOR Parker is, technically, a very accomplished fighter.

And his inside work against Joe Blandford at the King’s Hall, Stoke, on Saturday night was text book stuff. The 30-year-old is very well schooled, very easy on the eye.

Uppercuts jarred fellow southpaw Blandford’s head back, short rights dug into his body. Burton’s Parker stalked and methodically broke down his opponent.

The patient attacks finally paid dividends in the sixth and final round. After providing stubborn resistance, Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Blandford fell apart dramatically.

A short left made him sag and Parker (11st 5lbs) unleashed head shots until referee Ryan Churchill stepped in as the towel was tossed.

There may have been only a second left, but the intervention was correct. In fact, I felt Mr Churchill could’ve called it off after that first left hook took everything from Joe.

For Parker, it’s the third win after a two year break from the sport – and bigger things must surely soon beckon.

He has lost only one of 18, a 2019 stoppage to Sam Maxwell for the WBO European super-lightweight title and is eager to get back in the championship mix.

“I want a title,” Connor said afterwards. “Maybe the English, but not at this weight – welter or super-welter.

“I thought it was a good performance. I tried a little too hard at times, but I’m pleased with it.”

Gritty Blandford (11st 5lbs) played his part in a thoroughly absorbing scrap and had his moments. Bleeding from the nose from the fourth, he found the range for jabs in the fifth and planted one decent right to the body.

He was, however, being sucked into a meat-grinder. Parker kept sinking hooks, kept draining Blandford’s energy reserves.

Joe, suddenly looking fatigued, unravelled in the sixth. He tried to keep on the move, shipped a stinging lead uppercut, then slumped from that short left.

Victory edged Parker closer to where he wants to be.