Parker’s title fight may be put on hold for Klitschko

The postponement of Wladimir Klitschko’s rematch with Tyson Fury could see Joseph Parker knocked off his title fight against Anthony Joshua.

Klitschko had been due for a rematch with Fury on October 29, but the bout has been cancelled for a second time because Fury, the WBA and WBO heavyweight champion, is ‘‘medically unfit to fight’’.

Fury may be stripped of his titles, which led Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn to speculate on a possible Joshua-Klitschko showdown on November 26 - a fight which Kiwi heavyweight Parker had been the frontrunner to take.

‘‘From our side, if Wladimir Klitschko against Anthony Joshua can be made for the WBA and the IBF belts, for November 26, we are taking that fight, no question,’’ Hearn said.

‘‘We want the winner of that fight, Fury against Klitschko, and we want to fight Tyson Fury really.’’

If Parker was usurped by Klitschko for the Joshua fight, he would be likely to still fight on the undercard against British heavyweight David Price.

Hearn said his fighter would be ready to go against either the Ukrainian or New Zealander.

‘‘Hopefully, he [Fury] can get back in the ring soon and fight Klitschko but, if not, I spoke to AJ last night and said ‘you could jump in and fight Klitschko’. He said ‘let’s do it’.

‘‘We have also got Joseph Parker, who is Anthony’s mandatory, and that is a great fight. That could be made for November as well.’’

Hearn had earlier talked up Parker’s attitude and abilities, with Parker set to be named this week as Joshua’s opponent for the title before the Klitschko-Fury fight was called off.

Parker moved above Hearn’s preferred opponent for Joshua, Kubrat Pulev, because Hearn had grown frustrated at stalled negotiations with his team.

‘‘I think Joshua against Parker is such a good fight ... two young heavyweights that can really punch, that Hearn said.

‘‘Duco and Dean (Lonergan, Parker’s handlers) have told me that he is ready to go to fight Joshua next. If they are, we are ready to go too.

‘‘We have been looking at the likes of putting Parker against have great speed,’’ David Price, that’s a dangerous fight as well.

‘‘Again, it also comes to who is willing to step into the ring with Anthony Joshua, and let me tell you the answer to that is not many people. Joseph Parker will ... I know he’s got the balls to do it.’’

Hearn said he hopes Parker comes through next Saturday night’s fight against Alexander Dimitrenko in Manukau to enable him to push ahead with a British promotion for the unbeaten Kiwi.

He applauded Parker for taking the risky fight with Dimitrenko while he had the luxury of the mandatory rights to a world title fight. ’’It’s a brave move by Joseph Parker and his team. They are obviously very confident in his ability,’’ Hearn said.

‘‘When you have a fight like Anthony Joshua in front of you, many would go into their shells and say ‘I’m not even going back to the gym till that fight is signed’.

‘‘What I like about Parker and his team is they are actually looking to improve. They are looking to get the right preparation for Anthony Joshua. Dimitrenko is good preparation though risky at the same time when you’ve got that golden fight in front of you

‘‘When you go into a fight like that you can’t help but have it in the back of your mind that you’re already the mandatory for the world title. That brings a bit of added pressure.

‘‘But Parker knows he has to improve to beat the best Anthony Joshua and he is going to make those improvements in the ring. You can spar but only ring time helps you prepare for someone like Anthony Joshua.’’

Hearn dismissed Dimitrenko’s claims that Parker lost his Auckland fight against Carlos Takam in May, a result which earned him the IBF’s mandatory position.

Duco boss Dean Lonergan reaffirmed Parker’s readiness to fight for the title if required.

‘‘We have been in contact with Eddie, we will have to wait and see what comes of it. If Joshua wants to take us earlier, we are up for it,’’ Lonergan said.

‘‘The plan has always been to fight October 1, then November 26 and fight Joshua in March.

‘‘But we have said to them right from day one that if you want us to go in November, we are absolutely fine with that as well. We are ready to go.’’