Joseph Parker

[Kiwi]

The biggest thing for Parker here is winning those 2 Intercontinental belts.

Serves him well for rankings in the WBO and IBF

[diehard]

Too true, kiwi. Those belts will help keep his rankings high(ish). Which will help him secure a good opponent. Which one is the question...

[diehard]

Joseph Parker v Francis Ngannou? Kiwi boxer calls out ex-UFC champion after Ngannou’s narrow loss to Tyson Fury
Will Toogood



New Zealand’s Joseph Parker has turned his attention to former UFC champion-turned-boxer Francis Ngannou after his split-decision loss to Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia.

In a move that shocked the combat sports world, Cameroonian-French fighter Francis Ngannou left the UFC after his heavyweight title was stripped due to a contract dispute, to eventually take up professional boxing.

His first fight was with none other than WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, with the megafight taking place in Saudi Arabia - Ngannou lost the fight in controversial fashion by split decision after knocking Fury down, but showed the world he has what it takes to be in the ring with boxing’s best.

Parker fought Canadian Simon Kean on the undercard of that fight and impressed as he delivered a powerful knockout to reassert himself in the heavyweight division.

Now, the Māngere product has said Ngannou’s next move should be to “Fight me!”

Speaking on boxing YouTube channel Seconds Out, Parker said Ngannou going the distance with Fury showed his potential in the sport and that he would relish the opportunity to fight him.

“Francis can mix it up in boxing. If he went the rounds with the champion of the world, he can have some big fights. If the opportunity presented itself, it’d be awesome.”

Parker was coy when asked as to what he’d do differently to Fury if he were to get in the ring with Ngannou.

“I’ll just be me ... you’ll soon find out.”

There were rumours circulating before the Fury-Ngannou fight was announced that Parker could fight the former mixed martial artist - and it seems Parker still has those aspirations.

“I back myself against anyone. I know I’ve had a few losses but if I could fight those guys again, I could right those wrongs.”

Not only was Ngannou’s powerful striking on display against Fury, but his strength was on show as well, and Parker says you can see how he carried his MMA skillset over to boxing.




“You could see even in the clinches he was very strong and it just shows the background he brought with him. For someone just off the street it would be different, but Ngannou has the experience and he’s a champion and he backed himself.”

As well as the significant challenge Ngannou would bring to Parker in the ring, the financial incentive for a fight would likely offer the biggest payday of his career. If a bout were to eventuate, Kiwi fans would no doubt call for it to be held in New Zealand in what would be huge coup for combat sports in the country.

[Kiwi]

A great move by Parker.

Exactly what he needs and I back him to win

[bart]

if nothing else if he beats Francis well it will give him those cross over fans that are pretty handy when it comes to promotion and calling out belt holders

[Kiwi]

The biggest problem JP has is that Boxing fans worldwide have discarded him as a real contender

He is just not taken that seriously any more

He needs to push for these type fights or nothing will change

[diehard]

There's some good fights out there since Parker can no longer demand big $$$'s. He needs to face good opponents to get him back in the top 5. Here are a few at the end of the article:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/combat-sports/301001293/whats-next-for-joseph-parker-after-his-latest-knockout-win

[bart]

Dubois -possibly but DD quitting means he loses credibility
Wardley - nothing in it for JP all in it for Wardley
Hygovic - yes
Bakole - probably no $ or interest

personally like to see JP v
Whyte
Ruiz
Hygovic
Nganno- for a cash grab

[diehard]

I like your picks. Whyte is shot, so probably the easiest. Ruiz still a live wire, and could be his toughest fight. Hygovic is overrated, so that's also a fight to make. Nganno-idk. As you say, at least there's money attached to it. For exposure and reward, this would be his best fight, given what he did to Fury. Zhang???

[bart]

Personally i would leave Zhang alone even though JP has a better chance than JJ due to styles
Infact I think everyone will leave Zhang to quietly age into retirement.
I believe Hygovic if his fight with Wallin falls through is ideal if a title shot is what JP really wants