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Joseph Parker's handlers eager to start talks with Deontay Wilder over unification bout

Parker's first title defence is all "a matter of risk and reward".

Joseph Parker's handlers are eager to discuss a unification fight with Deontay Wilder after the WBC champion signalled strong interest in fighting New Zealand's world champion.

American Wilder, on the comeback from hand surgery, defends his title against Poland's Andrezj Wawrzyk on February 25 in Alabama.

He told a US media outlet he was then keen to fight Parker in April when the Kiwi, who holds the WBO belt, is set to return to action.

Joseph Parker's handlers are keen to see if Deontay Wilder is a viable option for a quick unification bout.

"I want that fight (Parker) next," Wilder said.

"If all goes well with this fight, I wouldn't mind turning right around and coming back and fighting Joseph Parker to unify the division with his WBO belt and my WBC belt, and do it that way ..., I definitely want it."

Wilder's attitude has been welcomed by Duco Events co-owner David Higgins who is now attempting to reach out to Wilder's promoter Al Haymon to open discussions.

The fight gives Duco options. They had already spoken of a desire to fight Wilder later in the year but are open to pushing it quicker if the circumstances are favourable.

They have been pursuing British rival Hughie Fury, who believes he is the WBO mandatory, and gives them a door to the lucrative British market.

"We're yet to get a ruling on the mandatory but a unification bout trumps the mandatory anyway," Higgins told Fairfax.

"But we like what Wilder is saying. He is of the same view as us ... the heavyweight division needs to unify the champions."

The 2.01m Wilder (37-0 with 36 KOs) is a far tougher proposition than Fury (20-0 with 10 KOs) and Higgins and Team Parker need to decide if that size of a challenge comes too quickly after winning the vacated WBO belt last month.

"It's all a matter of risk and reward," Higgins said of weighing up the options for Parker's first title defence.

"But a risky fight is worth it if the circumstances are right."

A unification bout would certainly carry more financial reward for both fighters.

Higgins indicated that Haymon was notoriously difficult to contact.

"The key guy is Al Haymon and we are yet to hear from him in terms of making a deal. So to Al Hayman, if you are serious about Wilder and Joseph, please give us a call.

"It might be that Wilder wants the fight and Haymon doesn't. But Wilder's comments were pretty straightforward and I think he deserves credit for wanting to pursue that."

Wilder will see Parker as an easier unification bout than taking on the winner of the Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko fight that has the IBF and WBA belts up for grabs in London in April.

From there the winners of these two fights would be able to set up a massive unification bout with all four belts on the line and recognition as the undisputed champion.

Higgins said there was no rush to get a fight organised for the moment. Duco had shown with their last minute deal to get the title fight between Parker and Andy Ruiz in Auckland that they could turn around promotions quickly and successfully.

- Stuff

I'm predicting Parker will face Dillian Whyte next, if it's not Hughie Fury.

(01-11-2017, 10:38 PM)Msreef Wrote: [ -> ]I'm predicting Parker will face Dillian Whyte next, if it's not Hughie Fury.

whyte is wbc mandatory i think. not rated high enough with wbo

mk

I think Whyte would be a real shock for an opponent. It makes sense in a way (can Joe beat him easier than aj) but it'd really be out of left field.

Also I think Whytes team don't want to become chisora mk2. Whyte will have learned a lot from that chisora fight but they need to drop down a level and build up slowly.

You can't have too many fights like that and the AJ fight if you want a long career and to reach your potential

Wilder beats Parker right now. 7 inch reach and 3 inch height advantages. Even though I think both have questionable footwork I'd say Wilder has the quicker feet. Definitely the more athletic. I don't know how Parker gets close to Wilder. Parkers weaknesses play right into Wilder imo. Slow feet, limited head movement and poor defence plus the physical disadvantages. Parker has better hand speed and punch technique/variety but how does he get close enough to land while avoiding Wilder long punches. I'd give Wilder the power edge too.

(01-11-2017, 11:29 PM)markk Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-11-2017, 10:38 PM)Msreef Wrote: [ -> ]I'm predicting Parker will face Dillian Whyte next, if it's not Hughie Fury.

whyte is wbc mandatory i think. not rated high enough with wbo

mk

Yes it could only really be Jarrell Millier if Hughie Fury fell through.

(01-12-2017, 06:43 AM)African Monkey Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-11-2017, 11:29 PM)markk Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-11-2017, 10:38 PM)Msreef Wrote: [ -> ]I'm predicting Parker will face Dillian Whyte next, if it's not Hughie Fury.

whyte is wbc mandatory i think. not rated high enough with wbo

mk

Yes it could only really be Jarrell Millier if Hughie Fury fell through.

Based on KB's Facebook post, I'm not so sure. Maybe the WBO will allow them to fight someone outside their top 15, though it may not be for the WBO title if that is the case. Fighting Whyte would be an excellent introduction to the UK market, build the Hughie Fury fight, and if JP got through both guys, the Parker / AJ fight would be pretty damn massive imo.

Duco Events rule out having Joseph Parker on Manny Pacquiao's fight card in Australia

New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker continues to look for a suitable opponent for the first defence of his WBO title.

Joseph Parker's handlers will resist the temptation to have him involved in the Manny Pacquiao extravaganza in Australia in April.

Duco Events have been given the green light by Pacquiao's boss Bob Arum to nail down the finances for a late April fight for the WBO welterweight title against rising Australian Jeff Horn.

Duco promote Horn and Parker, the stars in their trans-Tasman stable.

Parker is looking to April for the first defence of his WBO heavyweight title.

Jeff Horn has featured on several undercards of Parker fights in the past.

But Duco co-owner David Higgins made it clear Horn and Parker wouldn't feature on the same card as they look to tie down Brisbane as the venue for the Pacquiao fight though Adelaide and Melbourne are other options. It's being billed as the biggest boxing event to be staged in Australia.

Duco face a massive job to get the funds to turn Horn v Pacquiao into a reality and Higgins said "costs would soar" having Parker's world title defence on the same show.

Dividing up the pay-per-view royalties didn't make sense.

Parker has never fought in Australia during his professional career of 22-0.

"Jeff and Joe are stand alone stars now in terms of headlining their own cards," Higgins said.

"We see them as two separate identities."

Horn has featured on several undercards of Parker fights in the past, including the Kiwi's WBO heavyweight title night against Andy Ruiz in Auckland when the Horn did enough to convince Arum he was worthy of getting in the ring with Pacquaiao.

Duco continue to work on Parker's next fight. Britain's Tyson Fury and WBC champion Deontay Wilder are the strong alternatives.

Higgins said they would weigh up the best route to take in terms of gains from the US or UK.

Fury appears the likely option though Wilder's willingness to put his belt on the line for a unification fight has growing appeal, even if it is a hugely risky first defence for Parker.

Parker's WBO title win over Andy Ruiz last month has earned him a spot among the four finalists for New Zealand sportsman of the year at the Halberg Awards.

- Stuff

(01-12-2017, 02:51 AM)U.K. Fight Fan Wrote: [ -> ]Wilder beats Parker right now. 7 inch reach and 3 inch height advantages.  Even though I think both have questionable footwork I'd say Wilder has the quicker feet. Definitely the more athletic.  I don't know how Parker gets close to Wilder. Parkers weaknesses play right into Wilder imo. Slow feet, limited head movement and poor defence plus the physical disadvantages.  Parker has better hand speed and punch technique/variety but how does he get close enough to land while avoiding Wilder long punches.  I'd give Wilder the power edge too.

I'd give wilder more than just an edge in power.

But parker could walk him down, a shot chris areolla did it, I can't think of a fighter other than Stiverne that had problems getting close to wilder. It's just a question of what they do when they get there.

(01-12-2017, 11:17 AM)Infern0 Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-12-2017, 02:51 AM)U.K. Fight Fan Wrote: [ -> ]Wilder beats Parker right now. 7 inch reach and 3 inch height advantages.  Even though I think both have questionable footwork I'd say Wilder has the quicker feet. Definitely the more athletic.  I don't know how Parker gets close to Wilder. Parkers weaknesses play right into Wilder imo. Slow feet, limited head movement and poor defence plus the physical disadvantages.  Parker has better hand speed and punch technique/variety but how does he get close enough to land while avoiding Wilder long punches.  I'd give Wilder the power edge too.

I'd give wilder more than just an edge in power.

But parker could walk him down, a shot chris areolla did it, I can't think of a fighter other than Stiverne that had problems getting close to wilder. It's just a question of what they do when they get there.

Exactly. Parker's problem won't be getting to him. It'll be taking Wilder's shot on the exchanges. Parker will need a good chin, and know when to stay in the pocket and when to get out. I give Wilder the edge, but just.