Joshua’s team talks up Parker as fight looms
Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has talked up Joseph Parker’s attitude and abilities as the two young heavyweights get ready to square off for the IBF world title.
Hearn is set to name Joshua’s opponent for his November 26 title defence in Manchester this week and there are increasing indications that Parker could be thrust into that role.
Hearn has grown frustrated at stalled negotiations with preferred opponent Kubrat Pulev and has an easy option in calling in Parker as the mandatory challenger.
Parker is up for the challenge and that eagerness appeals to Hearn, though he would have liked to have built the young Kiwi’s UK profile and had their inevitable showdown on a March date in London.
‘‘I think Joshua against Parker is such a good fight ... two young heavyweights that can really punch, that have great speed,’’ 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 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. It also comes to who is willing to step into the ring with Anthony Joshua.
‘‘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.’’
Parker may also further demand.
Tyson Fury’s second withdrawal from a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko leaves Fury vulnerable to bring stripped of his WBA and WBO belts with no defence since November.
Parker is No1 and Klitschko No2 find himself in with the WBO, who could title fight.
Hearn also 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.
‘‘Takam was a great fight. Takam is a gatekeeper for world titles and Parker boxed well in that fight, he order a did well. There is a benefit in fighting in your backyard but I believe Parker won the fight. I don’t think you can take anything away from Parker in that fight.
‘‘Takam didn’t put the pressure on when he needed to. But you won’t have that problem with Anthony Joshua.’’
Hearn described his dealings with Duco as ‘‘quite refreshing’’ as they look to nail a title fight or undercard role for November 26.
‘‘We’ve had a number of conversations and I like the way they think. They seem very fair, everything is straight talking. I think there is a deal to be done for sure.’’
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 pB5 with that as well. We are ready to go. Let me tell you that when Joseph Parker fights Anthony Joshua there will be no heavyweight Joshua has faced that will be as capable, as fast or as unafraid as Joseph Parker and, importantly, as prepared as Joe.
‘‘So Mr Joshua, whenever this fight happens, might be in for a bit of a shock.’’