Boxing: Joseph Parker eyeing winner of Tony Bellew v David Haye

NZ Herald

25 Apr, 2018 08:40 PM2 mins to read

Joseph Parker wtih David Haye during a training session in London. Photo / Photosport

Kiwi heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker is eyeing a return to Britain to face the winner of the upcoming bout between Tony Bellew and David Haye.

Parker is eager to cash in on his popularity in the UK after his unanimous decision loss to Anthony Joshua on April 1.

With Bellew and Haye set to renew their rivalry on May 6 (NZT), Parker's promoter David Higgins said the winner of the rematch held interest to them.

"Of course it would. Joseph Parker himself and our team would back him against almost anyone, and certainly would back him against the winner of Bellew-Haye," Higgins told Sky Sports in the UK.

"The question is whether they would be willing to step up? I think most people would see Anthony Joshua at this point as the 'Golden Goose', and the big queue of people sitting on their hands and waiting a year, maybe two years for a shot, which may or may not happen.

"For those British contenders, respect to the one that does step up to Parker, because I think, despite Parker not quite getting the win, he gained a lot of respect, and is the first man to take Joshua the distance."

Parker is friendly with Haye, having used the British heavyweight's London gym while training for his last two fights in the UK against Joshua and Hughie Fury.

Another British fighter touted as a potential opponent for Parker is rising heavyweight Dillian Whyte, who has called out Parker in the past.

Higgins said Parker's performance against Joshua should silence his British critics, particularly Bellew and Whyte.

"A lot of guys are very mouthy and derogatory towards Parker in putting him down, like Bellew or like Dillian Whyte," Higgins said.

"It would be very interesting to see if they are still calling him out, and if the likes of Dillian Whyte or Bellew have changed their tune. What does that say about Bellew's character? What does it say about Dillian Whyte and his character?

"From our perspective, we are ready, willing and available. We're not going to chase it, because our view is that they were just all talk. Any fight against Parker now will be a guaranteed sellout of the O2 against any of those guys. Credit to the one that steps up."