Former WBO world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has weighed into the conversation as to who the winner of the hotly-anticipated rematch between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury should face next.
No surprise, WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO titleholder Anthony Joshua is the man that Parker wants to see in the ring against the victor of this weekend’s rematch for the WBC world title, which is due to take place in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
“I want to see the winner challenge Joshua,” said Parker. "The reason I say that is because we’ve been talking about the undisputed champion for a long time. It’s important to give the fans what they want to see, who the best is in the division at this time.
“I have to side with Fury on Saturday. I like his boxing ability and what he can do in the ring as a big man, moving, jabbing, combinations. I just hope it’s a great fight again.
“It’s whoever executes the plan. They’ve both had time to look at the tape of the first fight and study each other and their own movements, so it’s who executes their plan first, or better.
“Both of these guys talk a lot of crap, but they are very entertaining. If I tried to talk like that it wouldn’t work, not even close, so I’ll just stick to what I know!
“The first fight was so exciting and controversial, I think. A lot of people thought Fury won the fight on points, other people thought because of the knockdowns Wilder won, so the rematch is going to be very interesting.”
Parker - who will be watching on from the sidelines at the MGM Grand this weekend - has previously backed Fury, with whom he enjoys a close relationship, to prevail, after the Gypsy King was controversially denied the belt back in December 2018, with the adjudicators decreeing a draw, meaning defending champ Wilder retained his title.
On Saturday he meets Tyson Fury in the ring once again 🙌
“I love how everyone has a different opinion on this fight,” Parker said (Vegas Insider via The Daily Mail), “It's going to be amazing and exciting to watch. We all know the reasons why as the first one was so controversial and tight.
"You can't just walk up and bully Wilder, he has proved he has a good chin and one of the biggest punches in the world. Hearing stories from his camp, he's one talented guy.
“That being said - and I may be wrong - but I believe Fury can pull it off by the approach he said he will do by putting on more pressure and taking it to him. I believe boxing ability beats power.
“Tyson's been sparring Guido (Vianello) at the beginning of his camp and I was there watching cheering them both on. I've seen them do many rounds in the gym in this build-up and he is looking good.
“The reason I say he is going to put on more pressure is that I have seen it in camp. Coming forward, back, forward in his movement, he looks like he is implementing what he is saying he is going to do which to come forward, throw more punches, be more aggressive - I think Tyson is going to try to knock Wilder out at some stage of the fight, for sure."
28-year-old Parker himself (26-2-0) is preparing for his own return to the ring against American Shawndell Winters (13-2-0) on the World Championship bill on Saturday, February 29 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, which is headlined by the WBC Diamond fight between Mikey Garcia and Jessie Vargas.
