Parker shows he’s still a contender
What now for Joseph Parker in an increasingly competitive heavyweight division?
That’s the big question after the Kiwi signalled he’s far from a spent force with a third round knockout of Mexican-American Alexander Flores in Christchurch to stop the rot of two consecutive defeats.
Parker remains relevant but how he fits into the bigger picture still isn’t clear.
His hopes of getting back into the title mix will depend largely on what unfolds around him. His highest hopes are in the hands of other fighters right now.
Sorting out a rematch between WBC champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury is the division’s immediate priority.
Even WBO, IBF and WBA champion Anthony Joshua is waiting on that. Whether Joshua gets to fight one of them in April at Wembley or must make do with the winner of the looming Dillian Whyte-Dereck Chisora British blockbuster remains to be seen.
Parker could have a shot at the leftovers if his desire to return to the UK is delayed, then has a marketable home fight to tie him over in the form of a trans-Tasman clash with Lucas Browne early next year.
Browne was the fallback option earlier this year when Parker was negotiating his title fight with Joshua. The nononsense Aussie is likely to fill a similar role. Team Parker are chasing bigger things but they will be comforted by having a backup fight with Browne they believe could spin decent money in Auckland.
A highly motivated Parker and his trainer Kevin Barry have done their job by demolishing Flores. As Parker said, he’s put his hand up again.
Now we wait to see who shakes that hand for a fight deal. The pressure is on promoter David Higgins to try to deliver something worthy of the former WBO champion and still keep their man moving in the right direction.
It’s too early to be talking of title fights for Parker – he has to prove his new game stands up against a genuine contender.
It’s a tricky equation from here and one Parker shouldn’t rush into like he did on short notice against Whyte.
His latest fight has got people talking about him again and he needs to stay in the conversation.
Barry was non-committal to the immediate future following the Flores knockout, saying there was options in the UK and the US as well as the rugged Australian slugger.
But reading between the lines, a fight with Browne in New Zealand early in 2019 seems most likely unless a big offer comes from afar.
‘‘Lucas Browne’s an option, it’s a good trans-Tasman fight,’’ Barry said.
Barry and Parker again expressed their desire for a rematch with Dillian Whyte but know that’s an unlikely option early in 2019.
Barry conceded Whyte was the frontrunner to fight Joshua if he can beat Dereck Chisora in London next week.