12-20-2019, 12:36 PM
(12-19-2019, 05:02 PM)Beefstew Wrote: I see Joe is now ranked #2 with the WBO. If AJ drops the WBO belt which sounds likely will it be Usyk vs Parker for the vacant belt?
Beefstew, remind me to never, ever question you again!
Joseph Parker gets big ranking boost as WBO world title shot comes into frame
09:02, Dec 20 2019
Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker works the pads with power during a training session at his Las Vegas base.
Joseph Parker has leaped to No 2 on the WBO rankings, heightening the New Zealand heavyweight's chances of another world title shot.
The WBO have just updated their rankings on the back of Anthony Joshua regaining their belt from Andy Ruiz Jr.
Joshua's champion status puts him above the rankings while the WBO has opted to remove Tyson Fury altogether has he prepares for his WBC title rematch with Deontay Wilder in February.
Joseph Parker's one win in 2019 against Alex Leapai hasn't hurt his world rankings.
The result is that Parker, despite his inactivity, moves up two places from No 4 to No 2, nestled behind the Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk has a mandatary challenge against Joshua but the big Brit also faces a mandatory challenge for his IBF belt from Bulgaria's Kubrat Pulev.
Joshua has until mid-January to sort out his schedule. If he can't appease both organisations he may have to vacate one of his titles and it seems Pulev is the preferred fight option, meaning the WBO belt could be up for grabs.
That could see former champion Parker fighting Usyk, a superstar at cruiserweight but still an unknown force at heavyweight, for the vacant belt.
Parker has had just one fight in 2019 for a win over fading Australian Alex Leapai in the United States in June.
But Parker's link to Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn appears to be working with the British promoter's influence keeping the Kiwi relevant.
Parker has two fights left on a three-fight deal with Hearn and they need to maximise his return.
Parker is also at No 9 with the WBC and No 11 with the IBF as a frustrating year draws to a close.
Meanwhile, fellow New Zealand heavyweight Junior Fa has gone up to a career-high No 6 with the WBO and faces an interesting 2020 where the challenge will be to take his unbeaten record to the next level in terms of quality of opponents.