12-26-2017, 02:27 PM
Parker: I Want Joshua in UK, Wilder in Las Vegas, Bellew in 2018
WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KOs) has a three fight target list for 2018.
The undefeated New Zealand star is currently in negotiations to fight one of those targets, WBA, IBF, IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) for the early part of next year, likely on a date in March or April.
A deal to face Joshua is reportedly "closer than ever" - according to Parker's promoter, David Higgins.
Parker has no problem with facing Joshua on UK soil.
And then he wants WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in the United States and then former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, also in the UK.
"I'd like to fight Joshua in the UK as that's where the draw card is," Parker told Will Kent. "I'd also like to fight Wilder in America in Vegas and then I'd like to fight Tony Bellew. Those are the fights I want to make happen in 2018."
He views Bellew as a big money fight and says his team was actually in talks to fight him - after the Liverpool boxer's rematch with David Haye was canceled. It was scheduled for December 17, but fell out after Haye suffered a training injury. It has since been rescheduled for May 5th.
"I'd love to fight Tony Bellew," Parker said. "We had discussions to fight when David Haye pulled out of the fight but we weren't in a full camp so not able to jump in and fill his place. I feel like if I had a great camp and prepared for Tony Bellew I could put on a great fight and beat him. Hopefully we can make something happen.
"But again it comes down to both teams being happy. I know he's a massive draw card so we would have to sit down and negotiate how we're going to split things but I feel it's a great possibility to fight in 2018. He's a great fighter but he's a cruiserweight coming up to heavyweight. I have better skills and a little bit more power."
WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KOs) has a three fight target list for 2018.
The undefeated New Zealand star is currently in negotiations to fight one of those targets, WBA, IBF, IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) for the early part of next year, likely on a date in March or April.
A deal to face Joshua is reportedly "closer than ever" - according to Parker's promoter, David Higgins.
Parker has no problem with facing Joshua on UK soil.
And then he wants WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in the United States and then former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, also in the UK.
"I'd like to fight Joshua in the UK as that's where the draw card is," Parker told Will Kent. "I'd also like to fight Wilder in America in Vegas and then I'd like to fight Tony Bellew. Those are the fights I want to make happen in 2018."
He views Bellew as a big money fight and says his team was actually in talks to fight him - after the Liverpool boxer's rematch with David Haye was canceled. It was scheduled for December 17, but fell out after Haye suffered a training injury. It has since been rescheduled for May 5th.
"I'd love to fight Tony Bellew," Parker said. "We had discussions to fight when David Haye pulled out of the fight but we weren't in a full camp so not able to jump in and fill his place. I feel like if I had a great camp and prepared for Tony Bellew I could put on a great fight and beat him. Hopefully we can make something happen.
"But again it comes down to both teams being happy. I know he's a massive draw card so we would have to sit down and negotiate how we're going to split things but I feel it's a great possibility to fight in 2018. He's a great fighter but he's a cruiserweight coming up to heavyweight. I have better skills and a little bit more power."