Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has offered Anthony Joshua a potential route back into the world title scene.
The New Zealander, who currently holds the WBO Interim title and is the mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk, told FastSlots that he would welcome a rematch with Joshua — a fight that could reignite the British-Nigerian’s world championship hopes.
“AJ is always going to be a big fight because he’s a massive draw,” Parker said. “I think it’s only AJ who can come off a loss to Daniel Dubois the way he did and still attract a huge crowd. He’s got a massive following.”
Joshua last fought in September, suffering a brutal fifth-round knockout defeat to IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois. The loss not only denied him a chance to become a three-time world champion but also pushed him further from the title picture. He is currently recovering from a minor injury sustained during that bout and is yet to return to full training, according to his promoter, Eddie Hearn.
Parker, who lost to Joshua in their 2018 unification bout, believes he has evolved significantly since then and is eager to avenge that defeat.
“He’s been the poster boy for a long time, so he’s always going to draw attention. You always make good money fighting AJ because he puts bums on seats and has that big name,” Parker said. “I want to avenge the losses I’ve had. If I don’t get the chance to fight for the world title against Usyk or Dubois, I’d like to face Joshua, Joe Joyce, or Dillian Whyte. I feel like I’m a totally different fighter now.”
A win for Joshua against Parker would put him back in title contention, potentially breathing new life into the final stages of his career.
Meanwhile, former WBC champion Deontay Wilder has also shown interest in facing Joshua, though not this year. Wilder, who has lost four of his last five fights, is planning his return with a bout against Tyrrell Herndon on June 27.
“Not this year for sure, but in the near future,” Wilder told 78SPORTSTV about a potential Joshua fight. “Maybe sometime next year. But all of that is close.”
