What's next for Joseph Parker?

[diehard]

EXCLUSIVE: Joseph Parker promoter open to Dillian Whyte offer

Promoter David Higgins has informed WBN a fight between Joseph Parker and Dillian Whyte in June would be of interest to Duco Boxing moving forward.

Parker saw his stock rise despite losing his undefeated record and WBO heavyweight title to Anthony Joshua last month and needs a high-profile encounter to launch a comeback bid.

Whyte would certainly fit that bill after recently announcing an O2 headliner in the summer, whilst Higgins is waiting for contact to come from Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn regarding a possible battle between the pair.

“Of course we would consider a fight for Joe against Dillian Whyte,” Higgins exclusively told World Boxing News.

“The deal would have to be right for us but we have no problem with Joe going back to the UK.

“There’s been ZERO contact from Eddie about the fight and surprise, surprise all is quiet on the western front - but Joe versus Dillian Whyte would definitely be of interest on our side.

"We also have other solid options in New Zealand to consider so, either way, we are not too concerned," he added.

With Whyte currently holding the number one spot with the World Boxing Council, a win for Parker would push him closer to another world title challenge, this time against WBC ruler Deontay Wilder.

Parker facing Wilder would be a higher profile contest for TV networks in the United States and could see the winner eventually take on Joshua in an undisputed contest by the end of the year.

Wilder is still holding out slim hopes of meeting Joshua in the summer, although WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin and his handler Andrey Ryabinskiy both seem hell-bent on making sure that fight doesn’t happen yet.

On the other hand, the opportunity for Whyte to build on his recent destruction of Lucas Browne against the likes of Parker would be a London sell-out and mean whoever comes out on top would be right on the coat tails of both Joshua and Wilder.

[Beefstew]

Whyte vs Ortiz eliminator has just been ordered by the wbc. He's also got an Ibf eliminator option also. Jp is the last thing he's thinking about.

[diehard]

(04-25-2018, 02:25 PM)Beefstew Wrote: Whyte vs Ortiz eliminator has just been ordered by the wbc. He's also got an Ibf eliminator option also. Jp is the last thing he's thinking about.

That's crazy. Wilder just beat Ortiz. The above post said that Whyte was a mandatory. I also thought he was.

[Infern0]

Whyte is #1 ranked by the WBC but not the mandatory.

How Ortiz gets an immediate box off for the mandatory spot on the back of a KO loss is staggering.

[African Monkey]

(04-25-2018, 03:45 PM)Infern0 Wrote: Whyte is #1 ranked by the WBC but not the mandatory.

How Ortiz gets an immediate box off for the mandatory spot on the back of a KO loss is staggering.

Yes it's ridiculous. Breazeale v Molina was meant to be a final eliminator as well. The WBC obviously don't want Dillian Whyte as mandatory otherwise the logical thing to do would be to make Breazeale v Whyte as a final eliminator instead.

I expect Whyte to now go down the IBF route and face Pulev instead.

[Beefstew]

(04-25-2018, 03:45 PM)Infern0 Wrote: Whyte is #1 ranked by the WBC but not the mandatory.

How Ortiz gets an immediate box off for the mandatory spot on the back of a KO loss is staggering.

I was surprised also but if you look at the wbc rankings #1 is Whyte. #2 is Brezeale who already has a title shot lined up with Wilder next if Aj/Wilder doesn't happen so he doesn't want an eliminator. #3 is Povetkin who is Wba mandatory with a title shot. That leaves #4 Luis Ortiz. 
If Dillian Whyte decides to go the Ibf route and gets a title shot #5 Joseph Parker  could end up in an Wbc eliminator box off vs Luis Ortiz.

[diehard]

Joseph Parker eyeing Haye v Bellew as he seeks quick return to UK

Joseph Parker trained at David Haye's London gym in the lead-up to his world heavyweight unification fight with Anthony Joshua.

New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker is eyeing the winner of David Haye v Tony Bellew as he seeks a quick return to Britain to cash in on his popularity there.

Parker is eager to get back to the UK after his unanimous points loss to Anthony Joshua on April 1.

There are options there though it will be a case of who wants to risk their rankings and reputations against Parker, who on Thursday was placed at No 5 by the WBO after losing the organisation's heavyweight belt to Joshua.

Tony Bellew, left, beat David Haye in their first fight. They have a rematch in London on May 5.

That ranking matches the allocation from the WBC while Ring magazine's independent rankings place him at No 4.

Haye and Bellew line out in London next week in a rematch that will likely end the career of the loser.

Bellew won the first encounter by an 11th round TKO as Haye battled gamely on a blown out Achilles tendon late in the fight.

Pumped-up cruiserweight Bellew, in particular, has been vocal and derogatory about Parker's abilities though his interest in the Kiwi late last year was more about the WBO belt than anything else.

Parker's promoter David Higgins told Sky Sports in the UK that the winner of Haye v Bellew held interest to them.

"Of course it would. Joseph Parker himself and our team would back him against almost anyone, and certainly would back him against the winner of Bellew-Haye," Higgins said.

"The question is whether they would be willing to step up? I think most people would see Anthony Joshua at this point as the 'Golden Goose', and the big queue of people sitting on their hands and waiting a year, maybe two years for a shot, which may or may not happen.

"For those British contenders, respect to the one that does step up to Parker, because I think, despite Parker not quite getting the win, he gained a lot of respect, and is the first man to take Joshua the distance."

Parker has a friendship with Haye, using the former world heavyweight champion's London gym in the buildup to his two fights in the UK over the past eight months against Hughie Fury and Joshua.

Higgins believes Parker could now sell out the 20,000 seater 02 Arena in London against the right opponent, making the 26-year-old highly marketable.

He also felt Parker's performance against Joshua should silence his British detractors, particularly rising UK heavyweight Dillian Whyte.

"He'll be seen as dangerous and a lot of guys are very mouthy and derogatory towards Parker in putting him down like Bellew, or like Dillian Whyte," Higgins said.

"It would be very interesting to see if they are still calling him out, and if the likes of Dillian Whyte or Bellew have changed their tune.

"What does that say about Bellew's character? What does it say about Dillian Whyte and his character? From our perspective, we are ready, willing and available. We're not going to chase it, because our view is that they were just all talk."

Whyte's attacking style would suit Parker but its doubtful the Brit would see value in Parker other than a pay day.

Whyte has manouevred himself into title contention with three of the four major organisations and, at this stage of his career, has his sights set on a title shot.

A loss to Parker would be a major setback for Whyte.

- Stuff

[Infern0]

You gotta love higgins.

The reason they won't be calling JP out now is because he has nothing they want, David.

[bart]

Yep they will be hard pressed getting a higher ranked fighter to agree to fight JP - too little gain
Bryant Jennings type trying to become relevant is more suitable but is it marketable?- possibly in NZ but I would hope they plan to keep JP in front of international audiences.

[diehard]

Forget marketability. Forget top fighters. As Stu said in his Facebook, and i agree, Joe needs to strategically face 3 fighters next who will give him back his mojo. Jennings may be a good start.