Joseph Parker’s promoter, David Higgins, disclose that Anthony Joshua is unlikely to take a rematch with Parker, despite the New Zealander’s recent dominant knockout victory over Martin Bakole. Joshua was seen at ringside for the fight, but Higgins suggests that Joshua would avoid facing Parker again, citing the current form of the Kiwi fighter.
Higgins told Sky Sports, “Joe would jump in with AJ in a heartbeat, but I reckon AJ wouldn’t take the fight. I think AJ is a nice guy and he’s had a good career, but I think in recent times he hasn’t looked comfortable in the ring, particularly in his last fight. He didn’t want to be there.”
According to Higgins, Parker is now fighting with a renewed intensity that makes him a dangerous opponent, and the risk involved in facing him again would be too high for Joshua. “Most boxers take the lower-risk option, except for Joseph Parker. He takes the highest risk and the toughest option.”
Parker, who was defeated by Joshua on points in their first fight in 2018, has been enjoying an impressive run recently, with notable wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole. Higgins believes Parker’s performances have elevated his status, saying, “Joseph is establishing more credibility, more menace, and fight by fight, they will all be going, ‘This fighter is dangerous.’”
Parker’s recent win over Bakole has made him the mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO heavyweight title. However, Usyk is expected to first take on Daniel Dubois in a rematch for the undisputed heavyweight titles before Parker gets his chance.
Parker is eager to return to the ring as soon as possible, with Higgins revealing that his fighter is looking to fight again within four months, ideally in the summer. The WBO’s confirmation of Parker as Usyk’s mandatory challenger has added further weight to his title ambitions, although his path to a title shot is still dependent on Usyk’s next steps.
Sky Sports
