Parker v Joshua unification bout locked in
Months of negotiations and trash talk are over with confirmation that Kiwi world heavyweight boxing champion Joseph Parker will put his title on the line in a massive unification bout against Englishman Anthony Joshua on March 31.
WBO champion Parker, who is in London, said he was relieved contract talks were over, and that he could now fully concentrate on the job at hand
‘‘Anthony Joshua is in for a huge shock,’’ Parker said.
‘‘A couple of months ago I heard him say, ‘ Why should I be worried about this little kid from New Zealand’?
‘‘Well, now he’s about to find out, and the world is about to find out whether AJ can really take a punch.
‘‘My entire existence is now devoted to proving what the boxing world already knows.’’
While the pair are both undefeated, Joshua will go into the fight the favourite, having knocked out Wladimir Klitschko last April in what was widely regarded as the best contest in recent years.
He has since knocked out Carlos Takam, who has also fallen to Parker, and lays claim to the IBF, WBA (Super) and IBO belts.
Parker has fought just once in the UK, beating Hughie Fury but failing to impress the critics when he won on points at Manchester Arena in September.
‘‘It is a unification heavyweight championship fight. We all know what happened last time I was in a unification heavyweight championship fight,’’ Joshua said.
‘‘It was gruelling, it was interesting and we both left the ring with masses of respect.
‘‘These fights aren’t easy because there is a lot on the line, so respect to team Parker for taking the challenge.
‘‘And you know me, I love this game.’’
Parker’s promoter David Higgins predicted a fierce battle that would carry on the tradition of strong tussles between New Zealand and England.
He acknowledged that he ‘‘ruffled a few feathers along the way’’ during negotiations, including a holding a press conference to showcase Joshua’s ‘‘suspect chin’’, but said it was necessary when you came from a small country and you were perceived as a ‘‘small player’’.
‘‘New Zealand might be a tiny country on the other side of the world but it has a hugely proud sporting tradition – and a particularly strong tradition when it comes to whipping mother England,’’ Higgins said.
‘‘Joseph Parker is the absolute epitome of the Kiwi sporting battler.
‘‘It has been said that he is punching above his weight, but he didn’t become WBO heavyweight champion by being lucky.
‘‘He’s never been stopped, never even been wobbled in the ring. He’s consistently fought fighters in the world’s top 10 and he’s beaten them all easily.
‘‘It certainly won’t be a shock to me when he beats Anthony Joshua and takes his titles back home to New Zealand.’’
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said it would be an ‘‘explosive’’ tussle.
‘‘It’s the first time in history that two reigning heavyweight world champions have met in Britain, and it’s a classic match-up between two young, fast, undefeated belt holders,’’ he said.
‘‘This is another huge unification fight for Anthony as he continues to make history ...’’
An announcement on ticket prices for the fight and sale dates will be made soon.