Joseph Parker says he and British boxing star Anthony Joshua are taking 'risky' fights
Joseph Parker is stepping up his training as he waits to see when and where he will fight Carlos Takam.
Joseph Parker says he and British star Anthony Joshua have both taken "risky fights" as they look to enhance their prospects in the rejuvenated heavyweight division.
Joshua takes on IBF world champion Charles Martin in a title fight in London early next month.
Parker fights rugged Frenchman Carlos Takam to be the IBF's mandatory challenger, earning the right to take on the winner of Joshua v Martin.
Parker's handlers are currently negotiating with Takam's management over the timing and venue of the eliminator bout.
READ MORE:
* Too soon for Parker vs Joshua
* Aussie throws more shots at Parker
* Joshua 'running scared' of Parker
Parker and Joshua appear destined to meet and Parker's increasing exposure now includes regular media coverage in Britain.
Parker took time out from his Las Vegas training camp to discuss with Britain's Sky Sports the prospects of the two fights that will shape the IBF's heavyweight ranks.
He made it clear that both he and Joshua are two bright prospects in a hurry as the division opens up following the recent demise of long-term champion Wladimir Klitschko.
Naturally Parker has keen interest in the London bout between Joshua and Martin, considering the Kiwi could be fighting the winner.
"I will be watching very closely and I'll be seeing how both fighters go," Parker told Sky Sports.
"I'm excited to see this fight. It's a big step for Joshua to step up and take on Martin, but I think Joshua has got what it takes to become a champion and Martin will come prepared as well - he doesn't want to lose his title.
"It's 50-50, but it depends on who wants it more. Whoever trains the hardest will win the fight.
"We're both taking a risky fight early in our careers. Most fighters take little steps at a time and I think at this stage me and Joshua have taken a big step for both our next fights.
"It's a step we need to take, because there is a lot of interest in what we're doing in our careers in the heavyweight division."
And Parker made it clear he has Joshua on his mind in the long-term.
"We both want to become champions of the world, so I think we will definitely meet in the future," Parker told Sky Sports.
"We've both got power, we're both heavyweights and in the heavyweight division there is always knockouts. I think we both have the ability to knock each other out, it just depends who lands that big punch first.
"We've both to keep doing our thing, keep on winning, and hopefully when it comes together there will be a lot of interest."
Parker's manager Kevin Barry said they would consider taking a fight in Britain later this year to cash in on Parker's growing popularity there amidst an exciting UK boxing scene.
Barry also suggested any future fight between Parker and Joshua would be worthy of a Las Vegas setting given the profiles of the two rising stars.
Joseph Parker is stepping up his training as he waits to see when and where he will fight Carlos Takam.
Joseph Parker says he and British star Anthony Joshua have both taken "risky fights" as they look to enhance their prospects in the rejuvenated heavyweight division.
Joshua takes on IBF world champion Charles Martin in a title fight in London early next month.
Parker fights rugged Frenchman Carlos Takam to be the IBF's mandatory challenger, earning the right to take on the winner of Joshua v Martin.
Parker's handlers are currently negotiating with Takam's management over the timing and venue of the eliminator bout.
READ MORE:
* Too soon for Parker vs Joshua
* Aussie throws more shots at Parker
* Joshua 'running scared' of Parker
Parker and Joshua appear destined to meet and Parker's increasing exposure now includes regular media coverage in Britain.
Parker took time out from his Las Vegas training camp to discuss with Britain's Sky Sports the prospects of the two fights that will shape the IBF's heavyweight ranks.
He made it clear that both he and Joshua are two bright prospects in a hurry as the division opens up following the recent demise of long-term champion Wladimir Klitschko.
Naturally Parker has keen interest in the London bout between Joshua and Martin, considering the Kiwi could be fighting the winner.
"I will be watching very closely and I'll be seeing how both fighters go," Parker told Sky Sports.
"I'm excited to see this fight. It's a big step for Joshua to step up and take on Martin, but I think Joshua has got what it takes to become a champion and Martin will come prepared as well - he doesn't want to lose his title.
"It's 50-50, but it depends on who wants it more. Whoever trains the hardest will win the fight.
"We're both taking a risky fight early in our careers. Most fighters take little steps at a time and I think at this stage me and Joshua have taken a big step for both our next fights.
"It's a step we need to take, because there is a lot of interest in what we're doing in our careers in the heavyweight division."
And Parker made it clear he has Joshua on his mind in the long-term.
"We both want to become champions of the world, so I think we will definitely meet in the future," Parker told Sky Sports.
"We've both got power, we're both heavyweights and in the heavyweight division there is always knockouts. I think we both have the ability to knock each other out, it just depends who lands that big punch first.
"We've both to keep doing our thing, keep on winning, and hopefully when it comes together there will be a lot of interest."
Parker's manager Kevin Barry said they would consider taking a fight in Britain later this year to cash in on Parker's growing popularity there amidst an exciting UK boxing scene.
Barry also suggested any future fight between Parker and Joshua would be worthy of a Las Vegas setting given the profiles of the two rising stars.