10-07-2018, 12:04 PM
Watch: Joseph Parker confirms retired champ Lennox Lewis to help him in next training camp, eyeing fight in NZ next
Joseph Parker has confirmed his next few steps in returning to the boxing ring with a former world champion and a fight in New Zealand both in his sights.
Parker was a guest speaker at today's 25th anniversary celebrations for the New Zealand First political party when he confirmed he had approached Lennox Lewis after suffering his second career loss to Dillian Whyte in July.
Lewis had publicly pointed out flaws in Parker's technique but the heavyweight said it wasn't the first time the three-time world heavyweight champion had mentioned his name.
"Even before that, we were messaging each other," he said.
"He says that I'm still young and there's a lot of space for improvement. He's not saying anything's wrong with our team, just there's a few things he thinks we should work on.
"I sent him my number and he's said he'll call me again soon."
Parker said he hopes to fight again before the end of this year and will be talking with Lewis about he believes is the best way to snap a two-loss streak.
"Everyone gives different advice and everyone gives something that can work.
"Our team's great at the moment, we're still learning, but to get the input of someone else, especially someone like Lennox, who's been at the top of the game for a long time, retired champion, it will be good to see what he thinks."
Lewis compiled a 41-2-1 record in his 14-year career as a heavyweight and has history with Kiwis already after defending his titles against David Tua in 2000.
Parker added he hoped the aforementioned fight would be in New Zealand.
"I'm training for another fight that we have lined up at the end of the year and hopefully, we're looking to fight here in New Zealand.
"For us, it's just to give to the people of the New Zealand who have given us great support from the start until now."
Joseph Parker has confirmed his next few steps in returning to the boxing ring with a former world champion and a fight in New Zealand both in his sights.
Parker was a guest speaker at today's 25th anniversary celebrations for the New Zealand First political party when he confirmed he had approached Lennox Lewis after suffering his second career loss to Dillian Whyte in July.
Lewis had publicly pointed out flaws in Parker's technique but the heavyweight said it wasn't the first time the three-time world heavyweight champion had mentioned his name.
"Even before that, we were messaging each other," he said.
"He says that I'm still young and there's a lot of space for improvement. He's not saying anything's wrong with our team, just there's a few things he thinks we should work on.
"I sent him my number and he's said he'll call me again soon."
Parker said he hopes to fight again before the end of this year and will be talking with Lewis about he believes is the best way to snap a two-loss streak.
"Everyone gives different advice and everyone gives something that can work.
"Our team's great at the moment, we're still learning, but to get the input of someone else, especially someone like Lennox, who's been at the top of the game for a long time, retired champion, it will be good to see what he thinks."
Lewis compiled a 41-2-1 record in his 14-year career as a heavyweight and has history with Kiwis already after defending his titles against David Tua in 2000.
Parker added he hoped the aforementioned fight would be in New Zealand.
"I'm training for another fight that we have lined up at the end of the year and hopefully, we're looking to fight here in New Zealand.
"For us, it's just to give to the people of the New Zealand who have given us great support from the start until now."