Joseph Parker will fight his fourth bout of the year next month in what some will argue is the toughest test of his career.
The New Zealand heavyweight has bounced back from a bruising loss at the hands of Joe Joyce with three lower-level wins in 2024. Now, he has signed to get in with American knockout artist Deontay Wilder.
The former WBO Champion has losses to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte on his record too, but a win against Wilder – who held the WBC title for almost half a decade – would catapult him back to the top table.
Although the betting underdog, he has a couple of aces up in sleeve in the form of Tyson Fury and Andy Lee. Fury is the only man to beat Wilder, doing it twice in dominant fashion, and Lee was part of the training team to concoct the plan for those fights.
Speaking to Boxing King Media, the fighter-turned-coach praised his man Parker for accepting the fight when nobody else would – even the heavyweight Wilder has been tipped to face for some time, Anthony Joshua.
“Joe solely relies on me to make the decision on who he fights. One thing about the press conference is you look at all these guys and all the talk, none of them will step in with Wilder.
Why isn’t Joshua fighting Wilder now? He should be stepping in. What do you need another fight for? If you’re a fighting man, step in and fight the guy. Now you’re having another fight. Why?”
Despite the strong card, Lee echoes the thoughts of many fans in questioning why Joshua and Wilder haven’t been matched up together. It’s thought that if they both win – ‘AJ’ faces Otto Wallin on the same card – that a fight will be made for early 2024.
Lee, though, says Parker is going to spoil that party.
“Joe’s gonna step in, and Joe’s gonna upset the whole plan. And so might Otto Wallin. Joe will be ready. We know we’re up against the most dangerous puncher – the reason nobody wants to fight him – but I believe in Joe, and he believes in himself.”