Parker vs Dimitrenko: Don't be fooled by his ranking

On October 1, heavyweights Joseph Parker and Alexander Dimitrenko will collide in New Zealand.

Parker, of course, is considered one of the division's young lions along with Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Luis Ortiz and Deontay Wilder.

Will Dimitrenko be a mere stepping stone for Parker? We'll find out next month.

Casual fans who access his BoxRec details will see Alex is ranked No. 49 ain the world and may subsequently assume he'll be a pushover for the young New Zealander. However, the 34 year old, 6'7" Russian is 38-2 and has defeated formidable (although not superb) opposition.

Moreover, he boasts 24 knockouts and has been stopped inside the distance only once (Kubrat Pulev, 2012) and even that wasn't a true knockout. His other defeat came via majority decision at the fast hands of slick Eddie Chambers in 2009.

Alex turned pro in 2001, eleven years before Parker. And since then the former has beaten the likes of Luan Krasniqi, Michael Sprott, Ross Pritty, Derric Rossy and Julius Francis. Fringe contenders but capable opponents.

Joseph Parker should win this fight but Dimitrenko will better than his ranking suggests.