Joseph Parker eyes top five world ranking ahead of southern bout

If the blueprint is followed properly heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker will be flirting with a top-five world ranking when he fights in Invercargill in July next year.

Fairfax can confirm today the 22-year-old South Aucklander will line up against a yet-to-be-named boxer at the ILT Stadium Southland in July. The proposed date is Saturday, July 11. It is a fight which will draw plenty of national interest and will probably capture international interest as well given where he could be at come July next year, and who the potential opponent is.

The leading New Zealand heavyweight is currently ranked No 10 by the World Boxing Association with a 12-fight-12-win professional record.

Duco Events representative Dean Lonergan, who is Parker's promoter, suggests the fight in Invercargill will be the biggest of the young Kiwi's career.

"Here's the deal; Invercargill at that time will be the biggest fight of his career. Because every time Joseph fights we are trying to step him up, and we are trying to get him up the rankings. At the moment he is No 12 in the WBO, No 10 at the WBA and it's our intention to get him ranked in the other organisations as well. The only way we are going to move up the ranks is to fight quality opponents. So by the time we get to Invercargill the Joseph Parker train will be on fire."

Parker's knockout win over Brazilian Irineu Beato Costa Junior this month was his the best performance to date and had international boxing writers talking up his prospects.

Parker's camp want him to have five or six fights in 2015 with the goal to end up with a top-five ranking by the end of the year.

Given Parker's fight in Invercargill in July is likely to be his third bout next year he will probably be matched against a credible opponent on a world scale. He would have edged closer to that top-five ranking when he fights at Stadium Southland.

That, of course, is dependent on what Parker produces in his two bouts before he gets to Invercargill.

An opponent in Invercargill won't probably be firmed up until 10 weeks out from the fight.

Lonergan said Parker was very keen on the idea of fighting in Invercargill.

The majority of his major fights to date have been in Auckland or overseas although his win over Costa Junior was in Hamilton as part of the Fight for Life card.

"Joseph has been to Invercargill a number of times and every time he has enjoyed it. [Trainer] Kevin Barry in particular was also keen because of the stadium. The design of it will make for an absolute electric atmosphere on the night."

Source - The Southland Times

Re: Joseph Parker eyes top five world ranking ahead of southern bout

Parker needs to fight in either the USA or Great Britain. Almost no one has even heard of the guy yet, including many serious boxing fans. If he continues to fight in New Zealand, he'll remain unknown, I don't care how good he is.

Plus, he's already a "high risk / low reward" fighter. Fighting at home just gives credible opponents an extra excuse to avoid him.

Parker should come to the USA and try to get fights with someone like Szpilka, Arreola, etc. He looks ready. Heck, I think Parker could even beat Jennings, Fury, and Pulev right now, though he'd never get those fights.

Re: Joseph Parker eyes top five world ranking ahead of southern bout

Parker needs to fight in either the USA or Great Britain. Almost no one has even heard of the guy yet, including many serious boxing fans. If he continues to fight in New Zealand, he'll remain unknown, I don't care how good he is.

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--- He's at least as well known as many of the recent Floydy/Manny/Wlad challengers which ain't bad for a 22 year old Samoan.

Most boxing fans knew and were a high opinion of David Tua and he only got one title shot in spite of knocking out Michael Moorer and John Ruiz and beating the doggie biscuits out of Rahman, all of whom got multi title shots. Parker did make a highly publicized trip to the US to meet with Larry Holmes and then go to Philly to pay homage to Joe Frazier. He ought to only return to the US to take the soft WBC belt and then go back to Oz to sit on it Floydy style with consecutive canned home fights.

Re: Joseph Parker eyes top five world ranking ahead of southern bout

He's fought a few times outside of NZ, once in Europe and twice in the US. Invaluable experience for a prospect. Not sure if he trained with Klitschko when he was in Germany?

Fighting in Europe and the USA would be expensive, though he must have some decent backers, to have already done trips.

Sonny Bill Williams is planning more fights in 2015. I'm sure a Williams vs Parker fight would be absolutely huge and crossover.

Re: Joseph Parker eyes top five world ranking ahead of southern bout

--- He's at least as well known as many of the recent Floydy/Manny/Wlad challengers which ain't bad for a 22 year old Samoan.

 

Most boxing fans knew and were a high opinion of David Tua and he only got one title shot in spite of knocking out Michael Moorer and John Ruiz and beating the doggie biscuits out of Rahman, all of whom got multi title shots. Parker did make a highly publicized trip to the US to meet with Larry Holmes and then go to Philly to pay homage to Joe Frazier. He ought to only return to the US to take the soft WBC belt and then go back to Oz to sit on it Floydy style with consecutive canned home fights.

To some extent I agree, except as I said, he needs to raise his public profile first if he hopes to eventually GET such a fight. After his last couple of wins, no top HW is going to fight Parker unless they HAVE to. Well, Wilder might, I guess, but his sights will be set on Wlad, assuming he gets past Stiverne.

Jeez, 2015 could be a really great year for boxing. - if Al Haymon doesn't find a way to screw everything up again.