Parker eyes unbeaten Usyk fight
Joseph Parker should finally know his next opponent this week, although it’s Ukrainian superstar Oleksandr Usyk who continues to excite his camp.
Parker is due to fight in Frisco, just outside Dallas, on February 29.
It’s down to three contenders, with Matchroom Boxing’s United States matchmaker Eric Bottjer and Parker’s trainer Kevin Barry sorting out the preferred opponent.
Parker will need a performance to reflect his new WBO ranking of No 2, a position that puts him in line to fight Usyk for the organisation’s world title if holder Anthony Joshua vacates under the pressure of too many mandatories, now that he owns three of the four major belts.
It’s a real possibility and a chance Parker would jump at to try to win back his belt and be a two-time champion.
‘‘We would be straight in,’’ Parker’s manager David Higgins said of taking on the highly skilled Usyk, a 17-0 southpaw.
‘‘Joseph is the sort of guy who has proven that you can’t be fearful of a loss or use politics or record padding.
‘‘It’s one of the best fights in the world style-wise. It could be fight of the year — if Parker v Usyk happens it will be fight of the year.’’
Usyk is an unbeaten and unified cruiserweight champion making the step up to heavyweight and physically would be a good match for Parker.
The 33-year-old 2012 Olympic gold medallist has notable hand speed and movement, skills that took Parker to the top and need to be displayed again in a career that hasn’t lacked any flow since losing his belt to Joshua in early 2018.
The Usyk camp have pushed aside talk of a fight with Britain’s Dereck Chisora, saying their aim is to fight next for the world title – either against Joshua or ‘‘the highest available opponent designated by the sanctioning body’’ for a vacant belt, which is Parker.
Usyk was in Britain late last week for talks with Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn, who conveniently promotes Joshua and Parker.
Parker has looked in good shape on his return to the United States and has welcomed his scheduled fight in Texas.
Higgins wasn’t concerned about the late notice around an opponent, something that happened with a last-minute switch when Parker beat Australian Alex Leapai in his only fight of a frustrating 2019.
Parker is two weeks into a training camp in Las Vegas and six weeks out from the fight, his second in a three-fight deal with Matchroom.
‘‘Yes, time is getting tight but it [the naming] is very close,’’ Higgins said.
‘‘We are very relaxed. We are comfortable with the names under discussion.’’