Joseph Parker has got unfinished business at heavyweight despite fighting three of the biggest names and heaviest hitters in the division.
The former WBO champion won his first world title by beating Andy Ruiz via a close decision back in 2016 and after defences against the likes of Hughie Fury he aimed to unify against Anthony Joshua. Although he was the first man to take him the distance, he came up short and lost on points.
Following that he was beaten by Dillian Whyte but then rebuilt with wins over fringe-level contenders, twice outpointing Derek Chisora, however, got stopped by Joe Joyce in the 1t1h round of their intriguing battle.
His last two fights were his best performances, as he beat the power puncher Deontay Wilder by unanimous decision, then the heavy handed Zhilei Zhang over 12 rounds, despite being down twice on his way to victory.
That win gave him the interim WBO world title and put him in line for a shot at the winner of the undisputed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in December, though gym mate Fury has always insisted they would never fight.
Speaking to Instant Casinos, former world champion Tony Bellew revealed that Parker told him it was ‘Big Bang’ that hit him the hardest in his career.
“He actually told me Zhang’s the hardest he’s ever been hit in his life. He said Zhang hits so hard.”
He then spoke of his belief that Parker now deserves another world title shot and isn’t sure who to back should he get one against IBF ruler Daniel Dubois.
“For Joseph Parker, he deserves that date with destiny. Although I don’t know which one to write off going into that one because I’ve written off Joseph Parker in his last two fights, and I’ve written Daniel Dubois off in his last two fights. It’s the battle of the write offs!
“I don’t know which way to go, but what I will say is, Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker would make for an amazing fight. This could be Ike Ibeabuchi vs David Tua all over again.
“They would throw that many punches between the two of them, it would be an absolute slugfest. And it’s mad because both of them aren’t giants for heavyweights.”
Parker has also been named as a target for young heavyweight hopeful Moses Itauma.
