Former WBO heavyweight champion, Joseph Parker has extended a potential career-saving opportunity to Anthony Joshua, offering the British-Nigerian boxer a route back into world title contention.
Currently the WBO Interim Champion and mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO title, Parker has told FastSlots he would be open to a rematch with Joshua — a fight that would generate global interest and provide both fighters with high stakes.
“AJ is always going to be a big fight because he’s a massive draw, and I think it’s only AJ who can come off a loss to Daniel Dubois in the way that he did lose, and still draw a massive crowd because he’s got a big following,” Parker said.
Joshua, 34, has not fought since suffering a brutal fifth-round knockout loss to IBF champion Daniel Dubois in September — a defeat that appeared to derail his hopes of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion.
Currently recovering from a minor injury sustained in that fight, Joshua is not yet in full training mode, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.
Still, Parker believes a rematch between them would be both meaningful and commercially viable.
“He’s been the poster boy for a long, long time, so he’s always going to have that pull.”
“You are always going to make good money fighting AJ because again, he puts bums on seats, and he’s got the massive name,” Parker said.
The New Zealander, who lost to Joshua via unanimous decision in March 2018 when AJ unified the WBO, IBF and WBA titles, is seeking to settle old scores.
“I would like to avenge the losses that I have. If I can’t fight for the championship of the world against Usyk or Dubois, I would like to fight Anthony Joshua, Joe Joyce or Dillian Whyte to avenge those losses. I feel like I’m a totally different fighter now.”
A win over Parker could launch Joshua back into title contention and potentially reshape the closing stages of his career. A loss, however, could be terminal for his elite boxing status.
Wilder Lurking in the Background
Meanwhile, former WBC champion Deontay Wilder has not ruled out a future clash with Joshua.
The American is currently rebuilding his career after losing four of his last five fights, with a comeback scheduled against Tyrrell Herndon on June 27.
Speaking to 78SPORTSTV, Wilder revealed that a Joshua fight is still on his radar:
“Not this year for sure, but in the near future,” he said.
“Maybe sometime next year. But all of that is close.”
The WBO has already ordered Usyk to defend his title against Parker, and with Tyson Fury and Usyk scheduled to clash for undisputed status on May 18, the path could soon be clear for the New Zealander to either step in for a title shot — or face Joshua in what would be a blockbuster eliminator.
In either scenario, Joshua’s next move will be closely watched. For a fighter who has long carried the weight of British heavyweight boxing on his shoulders, Parker’s offer might just be the lifeline he needs.
