Parker looks to make a point to Joshua

By Gareth A Davies

BOXING CORRESPONDENT

One of Anthony Joshua’s potential opponents, Joseph Parker, makes the first defence of his World Boxing Organisation heavyweight crown in Auckland this weekend, against late replacement Razvan Cojanu, of Romania.

The New Zealander is one of three unbeaten ‘world’ champions alongside Joshua and American Deontay Wilder.

Parker had been due to face Hughie Fury – cousin of Tyson Fury, still holder of The Ring Magazine belt in spite of being in limbo because of mental-health issues and his admission of taking cocaine – before the Lancastrian’s late withdrawal through a back injury.

Now a strong favourite to retain his title, Parker, record 22-0, has targeted fighting in the UK next and admitted yesterday that the manner of Joshua’s victory over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium last week had made the two-belt world champion “the man to beat” in the division.

“Joshua still has a lot to work on and so do I,” he said. “Joshua is the man to beat so I am looking forward to sitting down and planning a fight with him in the future.”

Parker is being linked to fights with Tony Bellew and Dillian Whyte in the UK this summer, according to promoter Eddie Hearn. A collision with Joshua, if the two men continue to reign, though, is ultimately inevitable.

Meanwhile, in Birmingham, Kal Yafai defends his World Boxing Association world super-flyweight title for the first time against Suguru Muranaka. The Japanese former flyweight champion is boxing outside Tokyo for the first time in his 13-year career.