Joseph Parker prepared for 'heavyweight fight of the year' in the UK next
- Chris Brannan
- 29 May 2022
New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker is looking to return to the UK for his third consecutive fight as he eyes up clashes with either Joe Joyce or Dillian Whyte.
Parker's last two fights saw him pick up wins over Derek Chisora, as the former world champion showed improvements under new trainer Andy Lee.
Still relatively young compared to his other heavyweight challengers at 30 years old, Parker is looking to jump straight back into the world title picture - which is looking positive as he ranks within the top three in the WBC and WBO.
Announced at Tyson Fury's fight, it looked as though the South Auckland native would be facing Joe Joyce.
Yet with contract talks seeming to have stalled, Parker and his team are looking for another opponent in the meantime - and the fighter of choice would be former opponent Dillian Whyte.
The pair shared a 2018 classic which saw both fighters hit the canvas as Whyte claimed a hard fought win.
Speaking to Sky Sports on the potential rematch, Parker's manager David Higgins believes that now is the best time for the rematch to take place.
"We've made it clear at all times we'd fight Dillian Whyte then, or now. That stands now because Joseph would love to fight Dillian Whyte. That would be a blockbuster pay-per-view.
"It was a war. It was the heavyweight fight of the year.
"It's really up to the Whyte camp I think, to signal if they are willing to have that rematch.
"There is no better time for a rematch between Joseph Parker and Dillian Whyte.
"Joseph is an elite heavyweight and he's got unfinished business with Dillian Whyte, so to stop Dillian Whyte on worldwide TV would be a nice step back towards the heavyweight world title, which is every heavyweight goal.
"I already know that Joseph would gladly jump back in with Dillian Whyte. Anytime, anywhere. The real question is - 'is Dillian Whyte up for it? because we've got no time to dither."
With the British heavyweight coming off the back off his loss to Fury, it seemed as though he shared a mutual interest in the fight with Parker.
Whyte posted an Instagram story reading: "I just want the biggest fights at this stage in my career. Let's go. Put hands on you once and will do it again."
Despite the back-and-forth between the heavyweights, Higgins revealed that Parker's future is still unclear, with the Joyce fight remaining in the picture.
"There are other options on the table. The Joe Joyce fight would also be a cracker.
"There's no contract, but that Joyce fight is close to being contracted and the date has been discussed.
"Either one, Joe Joyce or Dillian Whyte would be a big blockbuster event."
