New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker. Photo / photosport.nz
The promoters of New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker are open to their man getting his world title challenge against Anthony Joshua in November should the IBF champion not agree terms with Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev.
The possibility of Parker fighting Joshua in Manchester on November 26 rather than in London in
March next year was raised by his probable opponent in the United Kingdom, Englishman David Price.
Price, a tall 33-year-old making a comeback after three defeats in the last three years, told World Boxing News of the possibility of losing his shot against Parker should Pulev fall through. Price would be an ideal dress rehearsal for the Kiwi's mandatory title challenge, but Duco Events' Dean Lonergan admitted he had an open mind.
"If the opportunity arises and [trainer] Kevin [Barry] agrees, and more importantly Joseph does, we would be open to the idea of fighting Joshua earlier, but that's not the plan at the moment," Lonergan said.
"And that's all assuming Joe gets past Alexander Dimitrenko, a durable and and under-rated opponent, in Auckland on October 1. Because if he doesn't then we have to start again."
