Joseph Parker is aiming to return within the Autumn and will work in the direction of a WBO necessary title combat in opposition to the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.
The New Zealander sealed a majority resolution factors win over Zhilei Zhang in March to earn the WBO interim belt, which has put him inside touching distance of one other world title shot.
Usyk defends his WBO, WBA and IBF belts in opposition to WBC champion Fury combat on Could 18, stay on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace, and Parker is likely one of the potential challengers who’re ready for the result of the undisputed world heavyweight title combat in Saudi Arabia.
“He’s had a stunning year, five fights in the calendar year and five wins, took on two of the most feared heavyweights in boxing in Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang and overcame both of them emphatically,” Parker’s promoter David Higgins informed Sky Sports activities.
“It is most likely a best-ever 12 months for Joseph Parker and he is earned again the respect of the boxing public and has actual foreign money once more on the peak of his powers.
“Behind the scenes there’s talks of Joseph happening a card later within the 12 months, however we do not need to be presumptuous.
“Boxers say they will fight anyone and in Joseph’s case that is true he will fight anybody. He’d love to be on a Saudi card in September or October and to whoever he is asked, he will fight.”
Filip Hrgovic may very well be the subsequent challenger for Fury or Usyk after defeating Zhang in an IBF title eliminator, however the Croatian will threat this place in a combat in opposition to Britain’s Daniel Dubois on June 1.
Parker is nicely positioned for his personal shot as he seeks a second world title reign after beforehand claiming the WBO title in 2016, defending the belt twice.
“The other point is that he’s the WBO interim champion and mandatory and next in line,” mentioned Higgins.
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A masked Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang had been unveiled as opponents on the press convention for the undercard of Artur Beterbiev versus Dmitry Bivol.
“In Saudi there are a couple of very interesting cards coming up with Tyson Fury fighting Oleksandr Usyk and then you’ve got Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder, so once these cards are through it will be very interesting to see what the option is for Joseph.
“Each boxer ought to need the world title shot. Joseph would like to combat the winner in fact however that is not essentially to say it will occur but.”
Parker again showcased his humour by challenging Anthony Joshua to a rematch in a social media video which went viral.
However Higgins insists Parker is severe a couple of second combat and would avenge his factors loss to Joshua in 2018.
“It should happen but I don’t think Joshua or the powers that be will line it up next,” mentioned Higgins.
“It would be great if they did and Joseph would take the fight but if I was a betting man I’m not sure that would be next.
“I feel Joseph would beat Joshua now. All boxing and trash discuss apart, I feel he would beat Joshua now.
“I think they [Joshua’s promotional team Matchroom] would back Joshua but they would acknowledge there is a risk, of course.”
Tyson Fury’s undisputed heavyweight showdown with Oleksandr Usyk is on Saturday Could 18, stay on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace.
