Parker eyes winner of Haye v Bellew
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker is eyeing the winner of David Haye v Tony Bellew as he seeks a quick return to Britain to cash in on his popularity there.
Parker is eager to get back to the UK after his unanimous points loss to Anthony Joshua on April 1.
There are options there though it will be a case of who wants to risk their rankings and reputations against Parker, who on Thursday was placed at No 5 by the WBO after losing the organisation’s heavyweight belt to Joshua.
That ranking matches the allocation from the WBC while Ring magazine’s independent rankings place him at No 4.
Bellew won the first encounter by an 11th round TKO as Haye battled gamely on a blown out Achilles tendon late in the fight.
Pumped-up cruiserweight Bellew, in particular, has been vocal and derogatory about Parker’s abilities though his interest in the Kiwi late last year was more about the WBO belt than anything else.
Parker’s promoter David Higgins told Sky Sports in the UK that the winner of Haye v Bellew held interest to them.
‘‘Of course it would. Joseph Parker himself and our team would back him against almost anyone, and certainly would back him against the winner of BellewHaye,’’ Higgins said.
‘‘The question is whether they would be willing to step up? I think most people would see Anthony Joshua at this point as the ‘Golden Goose’, and the big queue of people sitting on their hands and waiting a year, maybe two years for a shot, which may or may not happen.
‘‘For those British contenders, respect to the one that does step up to Parker, because I think, despite Parker not quite getting the win, he gained a lot of respect, and is the first man to take Joshua the distance.’’
Parker has a friendship with Haye, using the former world heavyweight champion’s London gym in the buildup to his two fights in the UK over the past eight months against Hughie Fury and Joshua.
Higgins believes Parker could now sell out the 20,000 seater 02 Arena in London against the right opponent, making the 26-year-old highly marketable.
He also felt Parker’s performance against Joshua should silence his British detractors, particularly rising UK heavyweight Dillian Whyte.
‘‘He’ll be seen as dangerous and a lot of guys are very mouthy and derogatory towards Parker in putting him down like Bellew, or like Dillian Whyte,’’ Higgins said.
‘‘It would be very interesting to see if they are still calling him out, and if the likes of Dillian Whyte or Bellew have changed their tune.
‘‘What does that say about Bellew’s character? What does it say about Dillian Whyte and his character? From our perspective, we are ready, willing and available. We’re not going to chase it, because our view is that they were just all talk.’’
Whyte’s attacking style would suit Parker but its doubtful the Brit would see value in Parker other than a pay day.
Whyte has manouevred himself into title contention with three of the four major organisations and, at this stage of his career, has his sights set on a title shot.
A loss to Parker would be a major setback for Whyte.