Joseph Parker moves ahead of Wladimir Klitschko in world rankings
Joseph Parker is closing in on a crack at a world title.
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker has risen to No 3 on the WBO rankings ahead of former world champion Wladimir Klitschko.
The respected organisation has just released their December rankings, which factored in Parker's first-round demolition of American Daniel Martz, his 15th KO in 17 fights, and Klitschko's loss to Britain's Tyson Fury.
Klitschko's shock loss rattled the rankings and eased the pathways to various belts.
The upshot is that unbeaten Parker, who has lifted two places from No 5, is well-positioned to push on for a title shot.
American Charles Martin is the WBO's No 1 contender behind Fury but he is set to fight Vyacheslav Glazkov for the vacant IBF belt and will drop out of the WBO's top mix.
That will leave rising Brit Anthony Joshua the only fighter ahead of Parker in the WBO mix.
"What this says is we are probably only three fights away from the mandatory position we covet so much," Dean Lonergan, part of Parker's management at Duco Events, said.
"This is the best Christmas present we could have."
Parker fights American southpaw Jason Bergman in Samoa on January 23 and has fights planned for April and July in what will be another busy year for the 23-year-old.
Lonergan said they were close to a deal with an opponent for April.
"We know who we want and we have good offers in. We need to have tough fights for Joe and that's what we are looking to deliver," Lonergan said.
Klitschko has dropped to No 4 on the WBO rankings and has exercised his right for a rematch with Fury.
Parker is also ranked No 11 by the WBC and 12 by the WBA.
- Stuff
Joseph Parker is closing in on a crack at a world title.
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker has risen to No 3 on the WBO rankings ahead of former world champion Wladimir Klitschko.
The respected organisation has just released their December rankings, which factored in Parker's first-round demolition of American Daniel Martz, his 15th KO in 17 fights, and Klitschko's loss to Britain's Tyson Fury.
Klitschko's shock loss rattled the rankings and eased the pathways to various belts.
The upshot is that unbeaten Parker, who has lifted two places from No 5, is well-positioned to push on for a title shot.
American Charles Martin is the WBO's No 1 contender behind Fury but he is set to fight Vyacheslav Glazkov for the vacant IBF belt and will drop out of the WBO's top mix.
That will leave rising Brit Anthony Joshua the only fighter ahead of Parker in the WBO mix.
"What this says is we are probably only three fights away from the mandatory position we covet so much," Dean Lonergan, part of Parker's management at Duco Events, said.
"This is the best Christmas present we could have."
Parker fights American southpaw Jason Bergman in Samoa on January 23 and has fights planned for April and July in what will be another busy year for the 23-year-old.
Lonergan said they were close to a deal with an opponent for April.
"We know who we want and we have good offers in. We need to have tough fights for Joe and that's what we are looking to deliver," Lonergan said.
Klitschko has dropped to No 4 on the WBO rankings and has exercised his right for a rematch with Fury.
Parker is also ranked No 11 by the WBC and 12 by the WBA.
- Stuff