Price could be right for Parker to take on Briton
Anthony Joshua’s management are keen to have Joseph Parker fight on the undercard of his next world title fight in November.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has raised the prospect of Parker fighting British heavyweight David Price on the November 26 card.
Joshua’s opponent for his next world title defence is yet to be confirmed.
It’s unlikely to be Parker with Hearn suggesting the Kiwi would get his mandatory fight for the coveted IBF belt early next year.
Kubrat Pulev (Bulgaria) or Canada’s former WBC champion Bermane Stiverne are the more likely options for Joshua’s next opponent.
But a chance to introduce Parker to the British audience is one that is obviously exciting Hearn as an inevitable showdown between the two young guns builds.
‘‘We’ve been having some good chats with Parker’s team. They like to be active. Parker is still, as Joshua is, a work in progress. They’re happy to fight on the Joshua card in November if he’s not the opponent and one fight we’d be looking at is Parker v Price in a final eliminator. It’s a wonderful fight,’’ Hearn told Sky Sports boxing in Britain.
‘‘Parker is going to be in the mix one way or the other. We’re already mapping out the next three fights and it could be Stiverne or Pulev, then Parker and then next summer the big one against a Haye or a Fury. In the meantime, we need all the credible guys to keep improving Joshua as a fighter and keep providing entertainment for the fight fans.’’
Parker’s management are eager to get a foot in the door of the lucrative fight scene, believing their man can storm his way through their ranks of talented heavyweights.
Parker fights giant Russian Alexander Dimitrenko on October 1 in south Auckland.
The 2.01m Dimitrenko has similar dimensions to Price so Parker would be well prepared if that fight eventuated.
Parker’s handlers are eager for him to fight taller opponents ahead of his clash with Joshua.
The risks for Parker now are that every fight he takes, his mandatory position goes on the line.
It’s an intriguing game of risk and reward for the Kiwi.
The 33-year-old Price mightn’t be such a huge risk though.
The Liverpool fighter has a record of 20 wins (17Kos) and three losses (all by KO).
He’s ranked No 6 among the British heavyweights and No 36 by independent rankings outfit BoxRec who have Parker at No 8.
Parker is unbeaten over 20 fights with 17 knockouts.