Heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker, who is spending the holidays with his family in Samoa, has been named one of the sport's rising stars and tagged as "the total package".
The 22-year-old has got a real admirer in ESPN's Dan Rafael, widely acknowledged as one the world's best boxing writers.
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Rafael has listed Parker among his 20 rising stars and "one to watch" as well as nominating Parker's last win over Brazilian Irineu Beato Costa Jr for the knockout of the year award.
Parker won all five fights in a busy year where he took his unbeaten record to 12 victories and moved to No 10 with the WBA and No 12 with the WBO.
"The heavyweight division is in desperate need of new blood and Parker is one of the guys seemingly ready to deliver it," Rafael wrote.
"Already a popular attraction in his country, Parker (who has had two fights in the United States) looks like the total package so far with good size (6-foot-4, 230 pounds), big power and a good team behind him, including noted trainer Kevin Barry.
"In 2014, Parker was 5-0 with 4 KOs, including wins against veterans Brian Minto (TKO7) and Sherman Williams (W10). His fourth-round destruction of Irineu Beato Costa Jnr on December 6 was as brutal a knockout as you'll ever see."
Barry said recognition from ESPN was "a great achievement after two years as a pro".
Parker was one of only two heavyweights on the ESPN list.
The other was unbeaten British 25-year-old Anthony Joshua, who won the 2012 Olympic super heavyweight gold medal and has taken his professional career to 10 wins, all by knockout.
Joshua and Parker appear to be on a collision course.
Parker promoters Duco Events have another busy schedule planned for Parker in 2015, hoping for a world title shot within two years.
Parker's next opponent will be named next week.
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