Parker: I want to fight Joshua
Joseph Parker wants Anthony Joshua for his next fight.
The WBO world heavyweight champion emphasised that, as options and plans for 2018 were outlined at a media conference in Auckland yesterday.
Parker isn’t short of worthy and lucrative alternative fights but he made it clear that unification is his preference, targeting Joshua’s IBF and WBA belts.
‘‘I want to fight Joshua. He has got two belts and I want to test his chin and put on a great show,’’ Parker said.
‘‘Those [other] fights would be good to keep busy, but the ultimate fight is to fight Joshua. He is the preferred option for us.’’
Parker’s trainer Kevin Barry backed that up, declaring: ‘‘I think the guy is there for the taking and I want us to get in front of him before someone else beats him.’’
As revealed by Stuff earlier in the week, Parker’s promoter David Higgins and Joshua’s boss Eddie Hearn, have started discussions to make it happen.
After initial talks they agreed they would ask their fighters who both gave them the green light to try to arrange a bout, likely to be in the UK in March or April.
‘‘So it’s really down to a question of the deal and the money,’’ Higgins said.
‘‘We would acknowledge that Joshua, if the fight was to happen in his home nation, has a big fan base and you might go a little his way [in terms of money], but not a lot,’’ Higgins said.
‘‘If they really want to unify now, they will pay more than otherwise, more than a voluntary.
‘‘We have other options and if he disrespects us, we will go in another direction.’’
Parker’s alternatives include an agreement ‘‘in principle’’ to fight Australian Lucas Browne in March, though that deal has been stalled by the Joshua talks.
Elsewhere, Parker’s American co-promoter Bob Arum has offered a Las Vegas fight on March 10 against Bryant Jennings to be televised live on ESPN.
Arum’s Asian connections have also firmed up a multi-million dollar offer to fight WBO No 11 Zhilei Zhang in China.
Higgins labelled talk of a midyear fight in Russia against Alexander Povetkin as an ‘‘exciting and lucrative option’’.
He also said WBC champion Deontay Wilder shouldn’t be discounted and there had already been talks.
‘‘Wilder’s crew put a figure on
"He has got two belts and I want to test his chin and put on a great show."
Joseph Parker, above, on Anthony Joshua
the table that wasn’t enough. If they put the right money on the table we would go to America and fight Wilder,’’ Higgins said, adding he wouldn’t be rushed into any hasty decisions.
‘‘There is no cut-off, it’s a moving feast. We will do a deal when we do a deal. It’s all about doing the right fight at the right time for the right money. We don’t feel under any pressure, we are just running due diligence and looking at the best options for Joseph Parker.’’
Parker has just started a sixweek camp with Barry in Auckland, opting not to fight before Christmas and that has given Higgins time to work some magic.
But Barry said he would like the next fight sorted quickly.
‘‘I’d like to know this week. Whether it is going to happen this week, I doubt. But the sooner we know, the sooner we can focus on the person that is in front of us,’’ he said, backing up Parker’s belief that Joshua was beatable.
‘‘If the business is right and Joe and Dave are happy with the business, I’ll be happy to prepare Joe and fight Joshua.’’
Barry said Joshua’s recent 10th round win over Carlos Takam, a previous opponent of Parker, had confirmed their feelings of the big Brit’s vulnerabilities.
‘‘That fight showed me once again that Anthony Joshua is very, very beatable. He has a stamina problem, he cannot knock you out with one punch, he has to put several big heavy punches together, he’s very robotic, he doesn’t have a very good selection of lead patterns.’’
likely avoid tournament favourites Australia until the final in Brisbane on December 2.
It will be the first time WateneZelezniak, who returns to New Zealand’s left wing after not featuring in the 74-6 thrashing of Scotland, has played in front of most of his family after playing across the ditch in the NRL for Penrith Panthers since 2014.
New Zealand’s opening 38-8
World Cup victory over Samoa in Auckland was the first time Watene-Zelezniak represented the Kiwis on home soil.
‘‘I’m excited but I don’t think I’m as excited as my family,’’ he said.
‘‘Most of my family is from Hamilton on my mum’s side and I’ve been brought up there for quite a while so it’s going to be a big one - not for me but my family.
‘‘I’ve tried to get as many [tickets] as I can but the family are keen just to get there own and be there to support,’’ he said.
Watene-Zelezniak has yet to score for New Zealand in four appearances since his test debut last year against Australia.
Tongans from his dad’s side of the family will be in the stands and Tonga fans are likely to outnumber Kiwis after they painted Hamilton red on a special night last Saturday.
Watene-Zelezniak said: ‘‘I’m pretty sure they might be going for the Kiwis, I haven’t asked them, but if I’m getting some of them tickets they better be going for the Kiwis!’’
Tonga beat Samoa 32-18 in an occasion that will long be remembered for the unity shown between the rival Pacific Island nations after a week of buildup marred by violent scenes between rival fans in South Auckland.
The hype for this weekend’s match revved up when four former Kiwis, led by Jason Taumalolo, switched to Tonga just days before the World Cup squads were named. Taumalolo and fellow defectors David Fusitu’a, Manu Ma’u and Sio Siua Taukeiaho are all starting against New Zealand.