03-06-2017, 10:47 AM
New UK heavyweight star Tony Bellew keen to take on Joseph Parker for WBO title
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker has increasing options for the defence of his WBO belt.
Joseph Parker's handlers are eager to talk with Tony Bellew's bosses about a fight after he shook up the UK heavyweight scene.
Bellew's chirpy promoter Eddie Hearn quickly suggested a fight against WBO champion Parker or WBC champion Deontay Wilder were the juicy options for his fighter after the surprise 11th round knockout of former world champion David Haye on Sunday.
Parker has a defence against Britain's Hughie Fury to negotiate first, with that fight set for New Zealand on May 6, but the Kiwi's promoter, David Higgins of Duco Events, admitted Bellew now had genuine appeal further down the line.
"Bellew is quite a big deal in the UK now," Higgins told Fairfax on Monday.
"I'll probably give Hearn a call tonight and just follow up to look at options.
"Hughie Fury is the only guy on our radar at the moment. But looking ahead, Bellew could be a good option. It's very good to have these options."
There has already been dialogue from Parker himself after Bellew stepped up from cruiserweight to blow away Haye in boxing's Battle of Britain.
Parker immediately called Bellew out, tweeting: "All goes well May 6, I'll fight you next at the 02, no problem."
And it seems there is genuine appeal for the fight if Parker can hold on to his belt in May.
"He's just beaten one of the best heavyweights in the world, so do you want to go back down to cruiserweight or fight Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker?" Hearn said after the fight where Bellew broke a hand and Haye suffered a serious Achilles injury.
"I think we could bring Wilder or Parker to the UK. This fight has done great numbers and they aren't going to get that money anywhere else.
"That could have been a final eliminator for the world heavyweight title. He's beaten one of the best heavyweights in the world, so as far as I'm concerned he's earned his shot.
"Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder are the two fights. We've got one of the biggest fights in British boxing history [Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium] on April 29, but I believe Britain can have two world heavyweight champions, because I believe he [Bellew] can beat Wilder and Parker."
Bellew was quick to signal his intentions when he was in the ring, beaming after beating Haye. He had an instant warning for Wilder, the WBC champion.
"You know who I want next: the Bronze Bomber, Deontay Wilder. I'm thinking I may only have one more night left," Bellew said.
Parker has also signalled a strong desire to fight American giant Wilder this year in an attempt to unify two of the four major belts.
But Duco Events are equally eager to cash in on the lucrative UK market.
If Parker can get past Fury, they have a foot in the door.
The division continues to be ripped open and opportunities shuffle with each major fight.
There are plenty of rich options beckoning for Parker if he can stay unbeaten.
Meanwhile, Higgins said Duco expected to formally announce the venue for the Parker-Fury fight this week with a New Zealand venue, most likely Auckland, expected.
"That's what we are working towards," Higgins said of a Kiwi solution to a protracted process that has seen them weight up overseas venues against a local option.
The Fury camp say they are working on the presumption the fight is in New Zealand and have indicated that disgraced former champion Tyson Fury, Hughie's cousin, will come down under to provide training and ringside support.
- Stuff
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker has increasing options for the defence of his WBO belt.
Joseph Parker's handlers are eager to talk with Tony Bellew's bosses about a fight after he shook up the UK heavyweight scene.
Bellew's chirpy promoter Eddie Hearn quickly suggested a fight against WBO champion Parker or WBC champion Deontay Wilder were the juicy options for his fighter after the surprise 11th round knockout of former world champion David Haye on Sunday.
Parker has a defence against Britain's Hughie Fury to negotiate first, with that fight set for New Zealand on May 6, but the Kiwi's promoter, David Higgins of Duco Events, admitted Bellew now had genuine appeal further down the line.
"Bellew is quite a big deal in the UK now," Higgins told Fairfax on Monday.
"I'll probably give Hearn a call tonight and just follow up to look at options.
"Hughie Fury is the only guy on our radar at the moment. But looking ahead, Bellew could be a good option. It's very good to have these options."
There has already been dialogue from Parker himself after Bellew stepped up from cruiserweight to blow away Haye in boxing's Battle of Britain.
Parker immediately called Bellew out, tweeting: "All goes well May 6, I'll fight you next at the 02, no problem."
And it seems there is genuine appeal for the fight if Parker can hold on to his belt in May.
"He's just beaten one of the best heavyweights in the world, so do you want to go back down to cruiserweight or fight Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker?" Hearn said after the fight where Bellew broke a hand and Haye suffered a serious Achilles injury.
"I think we could bring Wilder or Parker to the UK. This fight has done great numbers and they aren't going to get that money anywhere else.
"That could have been a final eliminator for the world heavyweight title. He's beaten one of the best heavyweights in the world, so as far as I'm concerned he's earned his shot.
"Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder are the two fights. We've got one of the biggest fights in British boxing history [Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium] on April 29, but I believe Britain can have two world heavyweight champions, because I believe he [Bellew] can beat Wilder and Parker."
Bellew was quick to signal his intentions when he was in the ring, beaming after beating Haye. He had an instant warning for Wilder, the WBC champion.
"You know who I want next: the Bronze Bomber, Deontay Wilder. I'm thinking I may only have one more night left," Bellew said.
Parker has also signalled a strong desire to fight American giant Wilder this year in an attempt to unify two of the four major belts.
But Duco Events are equally eager to cash in on the lucrative UK market.
If Parker can get past Fury, they have a foot in the door.
The division continues to be ripped open and opportunities shuffle with each major fight.
There are plenty of rich options beckoning for Parker if he can stay unbeaten.
Meanwhile, Higgins said Duco expected to formally announce the venue for the Parker-Fury fight this week with a New Zealand venue, most likely Auckland, expected.
"That's what we are working towards," Higgins said of a Kiwi solution to a protracted process that has seen them weight up overseas venues against a local option.
The Fury camp say they are working on the presumption the fight is in New Zealand and have indicated that disgraced former champion Tyson Fury, Hughie's cousin, will come down under to provide training and ringside support.
- Stuff