Joseph Parker says he has “unfinished business” with Anthony Joshua and wants to face the former heavyweight champion next.
The New Zealander was speaking to Vegas Insider about Joshua’s remarks that he would “smoke” Parker if they fought in a rematch from their 2018 bout. That night in Cardiff saw Joshua become the holder of three world titles having taken Parker’s WBO strap after his unanimous decision win.
Joshua’s plans to get back his belts from Oleksandr Usyk are in limbo after the Ukrainian returned to his home country to join the ongoing fight against the Russian invasion.
Their second fight had been scheduled for May, but the challenger’s promoter Eddie Hearn says that Usyk will be given the time he needs away from the ring leaving a gap to be filled. Attention has now turned to getting Joshua out in a non-title fight which will be his first outing with new trainer Angel Fernandez.
“My manager David [Higgins] has reached out to Eddie and Frank [Smith] about myself fighting Joshua,” said Parker.
“I have texted Frank Smith and said I can fight Joshua if Usyk and Joshua don’t go ahead. It is unfinished business, I feel.
“I feel I’m on the rise. But I can’t really comment whether he is or not. He is still at the top though.”
Paker, now trained by Andy Lee, is in the gym working with team-mate Tyson Fury as ‘The Gypsy King’ prepares for his WBC heavyweight title defence against Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium on April 23. The 30-year-old, who comprehensively beat Dereck Chisora last time out, has already spoken of his desire to lock in a date as soon as possible with talks going on behind the scenes for a fight against Joe Joyce. However, the former WBO champion is keen to taken on Joshua again
“I saw what Anthony Joshua has said. He is keen to fight me and smoke me? Come on, he couldn’t smoke me the first time. Back up what he’s saying then and let’s get on with it. Then let’s see who gets smoked.
“The first fight in 2018 wasn’t exciting but it came down to us both. If we had a rematch, it would be different. If not from him, definitely from me.
“I have been staying on track with training, practicing what Andy Lee has been teaching me and I’m a lot more confident. Time to punch pricks in the face and enjoy it.”