Team Parker like idea of British fight
Joseph’s brother to make pro debut
Joseph Parker’s handlers are keen to get their fighter involved on the undercard to Anthony Joshua’s next world title fight and are open to the opponent being Britain’s David Price.
Joshua fights on November 26 against an opponent still to be named but likely to come from either Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev or Canada’s Bermane Stiverne.
Parker has the mandatory rights to fight Joshua for the IBF world title in a bout that is likely to happen early next year as long as the rising Kiwi can keep his unbeaten record going.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn wants the blossoming British scene to become familiar with Parker and has suggested the tall and respected Price as an opponent.
That has gone down well in New Zealand as Parker looks to keep busy with an October 1 fight against Russian giant Alexander Dimitrenko in south Auckland.
‘‘I think David Price would be a great lead-in for for Joe if it was to happen,’’ Parker’s promoter Dean Lonergan of Duco Events said.
‘‘Price is obviously big and strong and you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work out that our strategy is to fight big strong guys for obvious reasons.
‘‘Anthony Joshua is six-foot-six and hits really hard, so if you want to go in and be prepared for a guy that size, you have to fight guys just as big who hit just as hard. He’s hard to replicate just because he’s a hell of a specimen but the Price fight has that look.’’
Lonergan has spoken strongly about making a raid on British stocks and likes what he’s hearing out of London.
‘‘I think it’s our preference and I think it’s Eddie Hearn’s preference that we put Joe on an undercard up there to get him well known to the British audience and build the [Joshua] fight that way. That makes a hell of a lot of sense. They do put on good undercards and I know they want the English public to have a look at Joe.’’
The 33-year-old Price won bronze at the 2008 Olympics and gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He’s a former British and Commonwealth heavyweight professional champion who has fashioned a 20-3 record in the money ranks with 17 victories coming by knockout. But he’s not expected to handle Parker’s speed, power and versatility. John Parker says he has ‘‘100 percent support’’ from his illustrious brother, world title contender Joseph, as he gets set to make his professional boxing debut.
The 21-year-old will fight on the star heavyweight’s undercard on October 1.
John will fight at a catchweight of 85kg against an opponent still to be confirmed.
Joseph fights Russian giant Alexander Dimitrenko. In south Auckland as he tunes up for his mandatory challenge to Anthony Joshua’s IBF belt.
John was a highly regarded amateur who has been overshadowed by the rapid progress of his sibling in the world heavyweight ranks.
He sought Joseph’s advice about reigniting his career after overcoming a wrist injury and got nothing but encouragement from 24-year-old Joseph.
’’He 100 percent backs me,’’ John said. ’’He’s been giving me the right routines and a schedule for me to keep and dietary advice as well. He’s like my personal nutritionist.’’
John is being coached by his father Dempsey for his return to the ring.
‘‘There is no harder trainer than Dempsey. He pushes you to your best and then tells you it’s not enough. He’s the reason Joseph and I have been able to excel at the rate that we did when we first started,’’ John said.
His last fight was four and a half years ago at the Auckland championships fighting as a light heavyweight. He ended his amateur career with a record he estimated to be about 30 wins and five losses.
He’s thrilled to get this opportunity.
‘‘I had wrist injury and it seems to have cleared up. I’ve always had the passion for boxing but it’s not until now that I’ve been physically able to get back into it again. see this as the beginning.’’