Joseph Parker is eyeing a rematch with Anthony Joshua this year as the Briton eyes three fights in 2023.
Joshua is yet to return since being ousted for a second time by Ukrainian rival Oleksandr Usyk who appeared to end the Briton's hopes of fighting for a world title in the near future. 'AJ' will now need a rebuild this year to seek redemption and become a three-time world champion, with the likes of Dillian Whyte and Deontay Wilder linked as opponents.
It is expected that the British star will fight three times this year, with promoter Eddie Hearn announcing that he will first take on an unnamed top 15 opponent in an attempt to rekindle his winning form. New Zealander Parker, who has just been stopped for the first time by Joe Joyce, has named Joshua as a target of his own if he is able to beat upcoming rival Jack Massey.
“I would love to fight Dillian Whyte again. If I can get a good win over Jack, that could be next,” Parker told Sky Sports when assessing his next options. “He’s got to fight someone. I know he’s [Joshua] looking for a trainer or working with a few trainers in America but if AJ wants a fight, let me finish Jack [Massey] off.
"David Higgins, my manager sent a message to Matchroom [to ask] if Joshua needed a fight but we got no reply back," Parker revealed. "If you're looking for a fight, come to me. Dillian Whyte. Even Joe Joyce, if you want another fight and no one wants to fight you, let's go again. I don't really care. I have no worries about fighting anyone."
Parker was outpointed by Joshua in 2018, with the Briton snatching Parker's world title to further unify the division and appear to continue his march to becoming undisputed king. However, things have since collapsed for Joshua, who has now lost three times including against Andy Ruiz Jr and Usyk twice.
Who would win if the pair rematched - Anthony Joshua or Joseph Parker? Let us know in the comments section below
Joshua is currently searching for a new trainer on US soil and is yet to confirm his comeback fight, with an announcement expected in the coming days. Hearn has suggested that Joshua will look to build up to a mega-fight at the end of the year which could be either Tyson Fury or Wilder.
“He wants to return to return with a top 15 guy,” Hearn told The DAZN Boxing Show. “Then in the summer probably versus Dillian Whyte and then a mega-fight with Deontay Wilder. The plan now is to rebuild him to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.
"It's all very well being brave, listening to Twitter, going out and fighting Deontay Wilder. But there has to be a plan, a smart plan. We are down to three or four opponents [for April]. He is ready to start camp and will likely start that camp this week. Honestly, I couldn’t give Anthony Joshua an opponent he will turn down. It’s all about putting together the right training team.”
