Parker backs Fury, wants Whyte
Kiwi heavyweight boxing contender Joseph Parker is ready to throw his weight behind Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder III being held in New Zealand – and wants in on the action.
New Zealand is reportedly being considered, alongside Australia and Macau, as a potential host for a November/December rematch between WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and American arch rival Deontay Wilder.
Kiwi promoter Dean Lonergan went public on Monday with his bid to stage the fight at Sydney’s BankWest Stadium, but American boxing promoter Bob Arum, who first spoke about the Australian bid on Sky Sports, has since said New Zealand could also be a contender to stage the third fight in a captivating trilogy.
With so much of the world still unable to stage sporting events in front of crowds because of Covid-19, New Zealand and Australia have emerged as legitimate hosting venues because of their success in combatting the virus.
And in that respect New Zealand has its nose in front at the moment, with its move to level 1 and removal of all spectator restrictions.
Parker, who still has designs of his own on another crack at a world title, says not only would he love nothing better than to welcome his old mate Fury to his home country for what would be the biggest fight New Zealand has staged, but he would be desperate to continue the rematch theme with another crack at Englishman Dillian Whyte on the undercard.
‘‘It would be awesome for New Zealand,’’ the Kiwi former WBO heavyweight champ said after a cross-training session with the New Zealand Breakers basketballers on Auckland’s North Shore yesterday.
‘‘New Zealand would be very excited if it does happen.
‘‘We’re the only country that’s pretty much out of lockdown and we can have a crowd. I guess in America and the UK you can’t really have a crowd, so that will be a factor as well.
‘‘I should text him to say ‘save me a seat’. But if they do have a fight here – and I hope they do – I would love to be on the undercard.’’
Asked his preferred opponent on any potential undercard slot, Parker made it clear he still thirsts to gain revenge for the 2018 defeat to Whyte at London’s O2 Arena that seriously derailed his career.
‘‘I’ll fight Whyte or [Dereck) Chisora,’’ declared Parker. ‘‘I’ll fight anyone in the top five or 10.’’