Joseph Parker looks to become a two-time world heavyweight champion when he challenges Daniel Dubois next month.
The 32-year-old from New Zealand has been in good form since a link-up with trainer Andy Lee in 2021, kicking off the relationship with back-to-back wins over Derek Chisora. Parker took the first by split decision after being knocked down in the first but won the second more convincingly.
Following the victories, Parker suffered a bruising stoppage loss at the heavy hands of Joe Joyce but has since been on a run of five straight victories, most impressively beating both Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.
It is those wins that set him up for his world title challenge against new champion Dubois, who himself is in excellent form having beaten Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua all by stoppage in his last three.
Asked about the fight by Box Nation, Chisora made the precise prediction of a Dubois knockout in five rounds.
“I think Dubois wins cause I don’t think Joseph Parker’s got a strong enough chin. Daniel hits hard. Daniel hits hard. I see that fight, Daniel within five rounds. Five rounds, Daniel wins it.”
The 27-year-old champion will be as confident as Del-Boy, particularly since that is exactly how his fight with Joshua played out.
Though Parker undoubtedly presents a stern test. Dubois has been accused of overlooking him to plot his next move. He recently entered the ring after Oleksandr Usyk’s second win over Tyson Fury to call the Ukrainian out for a rematch having lost to him in 2023. Should be beat Parker, this is the fight he and the team will pursue, not just to avenge the defeat but for a chance to become undisputed in the division.
As for Chisora, he looks to build on his own win against Joyce when he faces Otto Wallin on February 8 in Manchester – the 49th bout of a career he has promised will last 50.
