Boxing: Two tough rivals set to test Parker

Daniel Martz (2.03m) will be the tallest opponent Joseph Parker has faced. Photo / Getty Image

Tall brawler and southpaw challenging opponents.

Joseph Parker's journey towards a heavyweight title fight will see him tested in the coming months against two new challenging opponents confirmed by promoters Duco Events today.

The 23-year-old South Aucklander will take on 2.03m American, Daniel "The Mountain" Martz at the Fight for Life in Hamilton on December 5 before focusing on rugged American southpaw Jason Bergman at the Rumble in Paradise in Samoa on January 23.

Martz will be the tallest opponent Parker has faced while the Bergman fight will be his first professional bout against a left-hander.

Both fights loom as intriguing tests for the Kiwi-born Samoan with Martz having a proven reputation as brawler.

In the case of Bergman, Parker has not fought a southpaw since his amateur days.

Duco Events director David Higgins said the time was right to expose Parker to some tougher fights and get him accustomed to tangling with bigger and taller opponents.

"With Joseph having captured the public's imagination, we realise there is now tremendous interest and scrutiny in how we pick opponents," said Higgins.

"So the message the fans can take from today's announcement is that we are serious about readying him for a world title shot.

"Even though Joseph is 6'4" [1.93m], he is shorter than the biggest names in the heavyweight division like Wladimir Klitschko (1.98m); Deontay Wilder (2m) and Tyson Fury (2.05m)."

Trainer Kevin Barry says a similar rationale is behind the selection of Bergman for the New Year showdown in Samoa.

"There are a number of quality southpaws in the heavyweight division, the most obvious being 6'1" (1.85m) WBA champion, Ruslan Chagaev," said Barry.

"Joe is currently ranked 13th by the WBA and rising fast so Chagaev is most definitely in our sights."

Bergman, 31, fits the bill as a tough opponent with 16 wins from his last 18 bouts.

The immediate focus though, is Martz with 11 of his 14 wins coming by way of knockout.

At just 24, Martz is also the youngest opponent Parker will have faced.

Parker will be the seventh undefeated opponent (16 wins, 14 knockouts) the towering American has fought in a three year, 17-fight professional career.

To put that in perspective, pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather fought only three undefeated opponents in a glittering 18-year, 49-fight career.