04-05-2018, 12:51 PM
Britain ready to welcome back 'sportsman-like' Joseph Parker as Kiwi plots his return
Joseph Parker isn't feeling too blue about his loss to Anthony Joshua and is already plotting a return to the United Kingdom to get his career back on track.
Joseph Parker has received a ringing endorsement to his credentials in Britain as he plots a comeback via the United Kingdom.
Parker lost his WBO belt but certainly not his mana when he was beaten by Anthony Joshua by a unanimous points decision in their world heavyweight unification bout in Cardiff last Sunday (NZT).
The 26-year-old is eager to get back in the mix and, having invested heavily in making a name in the lucrative UK scene over the last 18 months, that is the market they will target.
It seems the feeling is mutual and Parker's tag as being the only fighter to take Joshua the distance over 21 professional fights makes him marketable there.
Sky Sports UK, the host broadcaster of the massive fight against Joshua, signalled plenty of respect of Parker in the aftermath and said Parker had "left a good impression inside and outside the ring and should be welcomed back".
"Parker's future will hopefully be in the UK," wrote James Dielhenn for Sky Sports.
"He has already spent plenty of training time in London, as well as Vegas, and would be a welcome addition to the burgeoning heavyweight scene. There will be plenty of contenders who will not fancy welcoming him back.
"But the rest of us should embrace the idea. Before boxing Joshua he openly expressed an interest in sharing a post-fight pint. We don't know if they ever sat down for a beer but Parker, a genuinely good man, wouldn't be short of takers if he returns."
Trainer Kevin Barry believes Joseph Parker will be back at the top of the heavyweight division in no time at all.
There are plenty of options in terms of British opponents for Parker's promoter David Higgins to work through with Eddie Hearn, the Matchroom Boxing boss who has a stable of fighters around his superstar Joshua and provides massive revenue to Sky Sports with his promotions.
If Parker can't headline an act in Britain there are already suggestions he could feature as the main undercard to the heavyweight division's ultimate unification bout that looks certain to be delivered between Joshua and Deontay Wilder in the British summer at Wembley, another stadium fight that will attract around 90,000.
Sky Sports has no doubts that Parker will rebound from the first loss of his career. He showed he had the talent and age was on his side.
"Parker more than played his part in what ultimately became another stage in Joshua's journey, and will not be consigned to history like some of his previous conquests," the article continued.
"It must not be taken for granted the impressive progress that Parker has made in his career. Two years younger than Joshua at 26, he has already won and defended a world title and is good enough to come again. He will do.
"To have fought on such a stage at his young age, particularly having come from a small nation that is not associated with the epicentre of boxing, is testament to Parker."
The family-orientated Parker clearly left a mark as he politely obliged to a mountain of British interviews in the lead-up to the clash that intensified over fight week in London and Cardiff.
"Parker is a sportsman-like representative of a nation that has produced many others on the rugby and cricket pitches. He imposed his identity onto this event; the haka at the weigh-in and presence of Samoan high chiefs were memorable, while his mum and dad beamed proudly in Cardiff all week.
"Sure, there were brief interludes when nice guy Parker's mask slipped - Joshua confronted some pre-fight jibes saying 'I don't respect that'. But Parker hadn't arrived to gift-wrap his world championship belt to Joshua, he was a serious opponent who intended serious harm and, once or twice, told us so.
"Overall he reminded us, as Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko did, that it's possible to approach a fight of such magnitude with decorum."
The article also had more than a kind word or two for the "eccentric" Higgins.
"His big brother-little brother relationship with Eddie Hearn has been an enjoyable side-note to the past few weeks. Higgins ultimately did his job to secure his man a chance at Joshua, and his rivalry with Hearn has been largely tongue-in-cheek and jovial. Higgins screaming 'Parker has never been down' while being booed by thousands of Joshua supporters at the weigh-in was a vintage display that had Hearn smiling. Now it's over, they might admit a soft spot for one another."
Parker and his team have already indicated they are serious about getting back into business.
They will take a short break – Parker is eager to spend time with his own young family and do a bit of fishing while the autumn warmth remains – before returning to training, determined to quickly pick up on the excellent fitness levels he achieved in preparing to face Joshua.
Parker didn't do enough against Joshua to earn an immediate rematch - the matter of gaining the fourth and final belt from Wilder is the obvious target for the big Brit.
But if he can return to his winning ways and work his way back into a mandatory challenger's position, Parker seems destined to get back in the ring with Joshua at some stage.
If Joshua can keep knocking out his subsequent opponents, the man he couldn't floor will have increasing appeal.
There were also some kind words for Parker from Hughie Fury on Thursday (NZT).
Fury had given a bitter reaction to his loss to Parker in Manchester last September, maintaining he had beaten the Kiwi despite the judges handing a points decision to Parker.
But Fury was full of praise for both Joshua and Parker, saying Joshua deserved "credit" for his victory and achievements and describing Parker as "a world class fighter" whom he had respect for.
@anthonyfjoshua congratulations on your win. The win is what’s important & credit where it’s due ‘ every fighter inc my self wants be their one day. Well done on your achievements. ??
Joseph Parker isn't feeling too blue about his loss to Anthony Joshua and is already plotting a return to the United Kingdom to get his career back on track.
Joseph Parker has received a ringing endorsement to his credentials in Britain as he plots a comeback via the United Kingdom.
Parker lost his WBO belt but certainly not his mana when he was beaten by Anthony Joshua by a unanimous points decision in their world heavyweight unification bout in Cardiff last Sunday (NZT).
The 26-year-old is eager to get back in the mix and, having invested heavily in making a name in the lucrative UK scene over the last 18 months, that is the market they will target.
It seems the feeling is mutual and Parker's tag as being the only fighter to take Joshua the distance over 21 professional fights makes him marketable there.
Sky Sports UK, the host broadcaster of the massive fight against Joshua, signalled plenty of respect of Parker in the aftermath and said Parker had "left a good impression inside and outside the ring and should be welcomed back".
"Parker's future will hopefully be in the UK," wrote James Dielhenn for Sky Sports.
"He has already spent plenty of training time in London, as well as Vegas, and would be a welcome addition to the burgeoning heavyweight scene. There will be plenty of contenders who will not fancy welcoming him back.
"But the rest of us should embrace the idea. Before boxing Joshua he openly expressed an interest in sharing a post-fight pint. We don't know if they ever sat down for a beer but Parker, a genuinely good man, wouldn't be short of takers if he returns."
Trainer Kevin Barry believes Joseph Parker will be back at the top of the heavyweight division in no time at all.
There are plenty of options in terms of British opponents for Parker's promoter David Higgins to work through with Eddie Hearn, the Matchroom Boxing boss who has a stable of fighters around his superstar Joshua and provides massive revenue to Sky Sports with his promotions.
If Parker can't headline an act in Britain there are already suggestions he could feature as the main undercard to the heavyweight division's ultimate unification bout that looks certain to be delivered between Joshua and Deontay Wilder in the British summer at Wembley, another stadium fight that will attract around 90,000.
Sky Sports has no doubts that Parker will rebound from the first loss of his career. He showed he had the talent and age was on his side.
"Parker more than played his part in what ultimately became another stage in Joshua's journey, and will not be consigned to history like some of his previous conquests," the article continued.
"It must not be taken for granted the impressive progress that Parker has made in his career. Two years younger than Joshua at 26, he has already won and defended a world title and is good enough to come again. He will do.
"To have fought on such a stage at his young age, particularly having come from a small nation that is not associated with the epicentre of boxing, is testament to Parker."
The family-orientated Parker clearly left a mark as he politely obliged to a mountain of British interviews in the lead-up to the clash that intensified over fight week in London and Cardiff.
"Parker is a sportsman-like representative of a nation that has produced many others on the rugby and cricket pitches. He imposed his identity onto this event; the haka at the weigh-in and presence of Samoan high chiefs were memorable, while his mum and dad beamed proudly in Cardiff all week.
"Sure, there were brief interludes when nice guy Parker's mask slipped - Joshua confronted some pre-fight jibes saying 'I don't respect that'. But Parker hadn't arrived to gift-wrap his world championship belt to Joshua, he was a serious opponent who intended serious harm and, once or twice, told us so.
"Overall he reminded us, as Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko did, that it's possible to approach a fight of such magnitude with decorum."
The article also had more than a kind word or two for the "eccentric" Higgins.
"His big brother-little brother relationship with Eddie Hearn has been an enjoyable side-note to the past few weeks. Higgins ultimately did his job to secure his man a chance at Joshua, and his rivalry with Hearn has been largely tongue-in-cheek and jovial. Higgins screaming 'Parker has never been down' while being booed by thousands of Joshua supporters at the weigh-in was a vintage display that had Hearn smiling. Now it's over, they might admit a soft spot for one another."
Parker and his team have already indicated they are serious about getting back into business.
They will take a short break – Parker is eager to spend time with his own young family and do a bit of fishing while the autumn warmth remains – before returning to training, determined to quickly pick up on the excellent fitness levels he achieved in preparing to face Joshua.
Parker didn't do enough against Joshua to earn an immediate rematch - the matter of gaining the fourth and final belt from Wilder is the obvious target for the big Brit.
But if he can return to his winning ways and work his way back into a mandatory challenger's position, Parker seems destined to get back in the ring with Joshua at some stage.
If Joshua can keep knocking out his subsequent opponents, the man he couldn't floor will have increasing appeal.
There were also some kind words for Parker from Hughie Fury on Thursday (NZT).
Fury had given a bitter reaction to his loss to Parker in Manchester last September, maintaining he had beaten the Kiwi despite the judges handing a points decision to Parker.
But Fury was full of praise for both Joshua and Parker, saying Joshua deserved "credit" for his victory and achievements and describing Parker as "a world class fighter" whom he had respect for.
@anthonyfjoshua congratulations on your win. The win is what’s important & credit where it’s due ‘ every fighter inc my self wants be their one day. Well done on your achievements. ??