Boxing: Joseph Parker keen to keep fighting for another five years

Joseph Parker talks to media following his defeat to Dillian Whyte. Photosport

Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker is rejecting suggestions he should retire from boxing saying he's committed to his plan of fighting for another five years.

Just over a week has passed since the toughest and most dramatic fight of Parker's life when he was handed a controversial defeat to Dillian Whyte.

The 26-year-old suffered a second round headbutt not spotted by the referee which threw him for the following rounds before losing the fight by unanimous decision.

"There was one part of the fight when I said to myself to throw the right and the left hook which I did, but I felt like I was punching in slow motion and I thought 'what the hell's happening here'?"

Parker's admissions will probably lead to more calls for him to give it away — especially given it is understood he has banked around $10 million from his last two fights — points defeats by Anthony Joshua and Whyte.

"A lot of people say I should give up and retire," Parker said.

"I'm only 26 and I've only lost twice — It's not the end of the world. I'm still learning. You look at the champions — I'm not trying to compare — but they were great fighters and [Wladimir] Klitschko lost three times, Lennox [Lewis] lost three times, and were knocked out in their fights. No one told them to retire.

"Everyone's entitled to their opinion but I think everyone should get behind us and support us".

Dereck Chisora, a heavyweight rival, doubts Parker will be back.

Following the defeat to Whyte, the Englishman said he didn't think the Kiwi had the hunger to keep training after making many millions of dollars in his last two defeats.

"He's a fighter but when he chucks his jab his hands are down. He was not motivated for this fight. I think when he made money from the AJ fight he forgot boxing, basically. He wasn't the same guy.

"The things he did in the AJ fight he didn't do in there. He was in great shape but he didn't have it. Parker won't be fighting again."

Last week former Duco boss Martin Snedden urged Parker to retire while he is still in good health.

Snedden – who stepped down from his role with Duco after Parker's historic WBO championship fight against Andy Ruiz in 2016 – said Parker would be wise to retire, especially after getting hurt several times in the fight against Whyte.

"Personally, I think he'd be really wise to retire right now," Snedden told The AM Show.

"I think he's done a wonderful job with his career, but as soon as you start getting hit, the risk of ongoing brain problems really escalates.

"He's done really well so far and he's looked after his money, so he's well set up - he's an intelligent young kid.

"He has the capability of going on and doing a second career somewhere. He's got two young kids now."