08-28-2020, 04:00 PM
Joseph Parker still keen to fight Dillian Whyte but Junior Fa remains his focus
Duncan Johnstone
Dillian Whyte remains on Joseph Parker's radar with the Kiwi still keen to avenge his controversial 2018 loss in London.
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New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker is still keen on a return fight with Dillian Whyte but his immediate focus remains on an all-Kiwi clash with Junior Fa.
Parker has been chasing Whyte without success ever since the rugged Brit earned a controversial points win over him in London in 2018.
Whyte has had his eye on bigger things but got distracted and paid the price as he suffered a brutal knockout loss to Russian veteran Alexander Povetkin in England last weekend.
Parker spoke to Whyte soon after the fight and with the subdued British star eager to exercise a rematch clause with Povetkin to get back his mandatory position with the WBC, there’s little chance of the Kiwi getting a revenge opportunity any time soon.
Parker, the former WBO champion, still sees relevance in taking on Whyte again if the circumstances allow.
He believes their action-packed first affair would help sell a sequel, and they are both now in similar positions, operating just below the top rung of a highly competitive division and eager to manoeuvre their way back into title contention.
“I think it is still a meaningful fight because we had such a close first fight. He knocked me down, I knocked him down,” Parker said.
“It would still be a good fight. If they one day say ‘Joe, it’s on’, I’d take it in a heartbeat. I would fight a similar fight … just don’t get headbutted.”
Joseph Parker had Dillian Whyte down in the 12th round of their fight but didn't have time to finish him off.
Parker had a small wager with Tyson Fury on last weekend’s fight, taking Whyte and losing his money.
“Whyte was doing pretty good before he got caught with that nice left uppercut by Povetkin. That showed the old saying is real true … one punch in the heavyweights can change the whole fight. Povetkin was down twice, but he is a smart fighter.”
Parker, 28, continues to train earnestly, hopeful of getting a fight in before the end of the year.
Everything points to that being against his old amateur rival Fa, a situation largely dictated by the coronavirus pandemic and the struggles that has placed on international travel and the global fight calendar.
“I’m keen on the Junior Fa fight because of the circumstances,” Parker said.
“If we could fight someone top five or top 10 in the UK or the US, I would rather fight there. But really a fight in New Zealand is the only option.
“There are some Australian opponents out there but to keep the ranking … he is No 6 at the WBO and undefeated … I think Junior is the best option we have, especially being in the same country in this situation.
“I think the fight can be marketed well here.”
New Zealand heavyweights Joseph Parker and Junior Fa may finally get in the ring together as professionals.
Parker remains frustrated at the slow progress with negotiations being stalled by purse disputes.
“They have been making a lot of noise but when the contract is put in front of them, they find something else they want,” Parker said.
Parker is looking fit, the result of twice-daily gym sessions. Once criticised for not being serious enough about his training between fights, he now feels he has to be careful about “over-doing it”.
“I think I have to slow down a bit. My mind keeps telling me I need to train but I need to find the right balance with a bit of rest as well.”
He has been in contact with his Las Vegas-based boxing trainer Kevin Barry and has installed more boxing-specific equipment in his home gymnasium.
Parker said he would base his training camp in New Zealand if the Fa fight is sewn up, flying in Barry and some sparring partners.
Duncan Johnstone
Dillian Whyte remains on Joseph Parker's radar with the Kiwi still keen to avenge his controversial 2018 loss in London.
Trustworthy, accurate and reliable news stories are more important now than ever. Support our newsrooms by making a contribution.
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker is still keen on a return fight with Dillian Whyte but his immediate focus remains on an all-Kiwi clash with Junior Fa.
Parker has been chasing Whyte without success ever since the rugged Brit earned a controversial points win over him in London in 2018.
Whyte has had his eye on bigger things but got distracted and paid the price as he suffered a brutal knockout loss to Russian veteran Alexander Povetkin in England last weekend.
Parker spoke to Whyte soon after the fight and with the subdued British star eager to exercise a rematch clause with Povetkin to get back his mandatory position with the WBC, there’s little chance of the Kiwi getting a revenge opportunity any time soon.
Parker, the former WBO champion, still sees relevance in taking on Whyte again if the circumstances allow.
He believes their action-packed first affair would help sell a sequel, and they are both now in similar positions, operating just below the top rung of a highly competitive division and eager to manoeuvre their way back into title contention.
“I think it is still a meaningful fight because we had such a close first fight. He knocked me down, I knocked him down,” Parker said.
“It would still be a good fight. If they one day say ‘Joe, it’s on’, I’d take it in a heartbeat. I would fight a similar fight … just don’t get headbutted.”
Joseph Parker had Dillian Whyte down in the 12th round of their fight but didn't have time to finish him off.
Parker had a small wager with Tyson Fury on last weekend’s fight, taking Whyte and losing his money.
“Whyte was doing pretty good before he got caught with that nice left uppercut by Povetkin. That showed the old saying is real true … one punch in the heavyweights can change the whole fight. Povetkin was down twice, but he is a smart fighter.”
Parker, 28, continues to train earnestly, hopeful of getting a fight in before the end of the year.
Everything points to that being against his old amateur rival Fa, a situation largely dictated by the coronavirus pandemic and the struggles that has placed on international travel and the global fight calendar.
“I’m keen on the Junior Fa fight because of the circumstances,” Parker said.
“If we could fight someone top five or top 10 in the UK or the US, I would rather fight there. But really a fight in New Zealand is the only option.
“There are some Australian opponents out there but to keep the ranking … he is No 6 at the WBO and undefeated … I think Junior is the best option we have, especially being in the same country in this situation.
“I think the fight can be marketed well here.”
New Zealand heavyweights Joseph Parker and Junior Fa may finally get in the ring together as professionals.
Parker remains frustrated at the slow progress with negotiations being stalled by purse disputes.
“They have been making a lot of noise but when the contract is put in front of them, they find something else they want,” Parker said.
Parker is looking fit, the result of twice-daily gym sessions. Once criticised for not being serious enough about his training between fights, he now feels he has to be careful about “over-doing it”.
“I think I have to slow down a bit. My mind keeps telling me I need to train but I need to find the right balance with a bit of rest as well.”
He has been in contact with his Las Vegas-based boxing trainer Kevin Barry and has installed more boxing-specific equipment in his home gymnasium.
Parker said he would base his training camp in New Zealand if the Fa fight is sewn up, flying in Barry and some sparring partners.