Parker fight confirmed for Christchurch
Joseph Parker will make his return to the boxing ring in the hometown of his trainer Kevin Barry.
The former WBO world champion, who has not fought since losing to British heavyweight Dillian Whyte – on the scorecards – in London back in July, has been confirmed to fight at Christchurch’s Horncastle Arena December 15.
Team Parker will front media in Auckland today but an opponent for the Christchurch fight – his first on New Zealand soil since an on unconvincing win over former sparring partner Razvan Cojanu in May 2017 – is not expected to be named before the end of the week.
It is certain not to be a top 20 ranked fighter as the risk of a third loss in succession would loom as a crippling blow to the 26-year-old’s career as he looks to rebuild his stocks. Parker, who holds a record of 24 wins and two defeats, will be desperate to register his first win of 2018 to stay relevant in the heavyweight rankings. He lost his WBO belt to undefeated heavyweight kingpin Anthony Joshua in March, also in London.
‘‘Whoever they put in front of me I need to get the job done – and get it done well,’’ Parker said.
Barry confirmed Parker was in need of a ‘‘top performance’’.
‘‘After a five-year undefeated run we now find ourselves in unusual territory – coming off back-to-back losses,’’ Barry said.
Barry grew up in Christchurch and his brother Bryan – Parker’s cut man – still lives in the city.
‘‘It’s great to be fighting again in Christchurch – the city where it all began for me,’’ Barry said.