A Joshua vs Parker heavyweight collision may just have to wait a bit longer now as another fight has come out of the blew for Joseph Parker who after his win this past weekend, is in a great position in the world rankings.
New Zealander Parker has been mandatory for Anthony Joshua’s IBF heavyweight title for quite some time and it was thought that he’d get his big pay day shot at the UK boxing star later this year, if ‘AJ’ were not going to be fighting Wladimir Klitschko (none of which has been confirmed just yet of course).
But now, Parker is also actually mandatory challenger for the WBO title currently held by Tyson Fury, who has been involved in a lot of outside the ring problems of late and there is speculation at the moment that he might be stripped of his titles soon.
If this were the case, it is now possible that Parker could contest the WBO title before the year is out and Stuff in New Zealand are reporting that he could potentially fight for the title in December against undefeated American Andy Ruiz.
According to the report, the two teams are already in advanced talks.
This is a great fight between two young heavyweights in it’s own right, one I’d certainly watch. But it also has big implications for the division as a whole and possible bouts elsewhere too.
The fragmentation of the heavyweight division and it’s new era in general could really come into effect in this scenario, as all the heavyweight titles begin to free up.
If Parker were to take on Ruiz in December, that also leaves the door open for a pay per view bonanza fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko before the year is out.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has said this could be a unification fight depending on what happens to Fury’s titles in the coming days and week ahead.
Exciting times yet again for boxing’s old glamour division.
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