Parker confirms he would fight ‘good mate’ Tyson Fury
Joseph Parker has confirmed he would step into the ring with his good mate Tyson Fury if it came down to a world title fight.
For years Parker has maintained he would never go toe-to-toe with WBC heavyweight champion Fury given the close relationship the pair share.
However, on the eve of Parker flying to the United Kingdom to support Fury ahead of his unification fight against WBA, WBO, and IBF titles holder Oleksandr Usyk, Parker backed up what he hinted at following his points decision victory over Zhilei Zhang in Saudi Arabia in March.
“If it ever came down to it and Tyson was No 1 and I was No 2, and there was no-one else to fight, and it could help me and my family and secure us for the rest of our lives I think Tyson and I could do something together,” he said. “But I have the utmost respect for the guy and what he has done for my career, and if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be where I am today.
“But if it has to come down to it I think we can put everything aside and do it before we sit down after the fight and say ‘hey man, you caught me with that good shot’ and that sort of thing, if you know what I mean.”
The May 19 fight between Fury and Usyk could go a long way to deciding the direction Parker’s team heads.
Although there remained a re-match clause with Zhang, that could change depending on the outcome of Zhang’s fight with Deontay Wilder on June 1.
Parker’s immediate boxing future remains on the negotiating table with his promoters, but he said he has had a physically and mentally rewarding time back in New Zealand after returning from Saudi Arabia.
He had worked closely with his strength and conditioning coach George Lockhart, who was also his nutritionist, and had been with him in New Zealand. “I’ve never met anyone like George and I feel he’s the biggest reason why him, myself and Andy [trainer Andy Lee] work really well together— we make the best team,” he said.
Parker was welcoming the time out of the ring as the heavyweight division was going through one of its busiest periods in years.
Under Lockhart’s guidance, Parker had spent the last few weeks in a “building phase” as he reconditioned himself. He was now heading towards what he described as the best condition of his professional career. “I’m going to be bigger, faster, stronger and more handsome,” he joked.
“I feel I’ve re-energised my career. I’m 32-years-old, and I’ve been in the game for 12 years, but I’m still getting stronger and I truly believe I can be heavyweight champion of the world again.”
Parker also confirmed he would be ringside in New Plymouth on May 25 to support promoter and former boxer Sam Rapira’s Taranaki Explosion fight night at the TSB Stadium.