One heavyweight, Oleksandr Usyk, has yet to share the ring with is Joseph Parker, but if the Kiwi has his way, they’ll be fighting next.
Himself missing out on a chance to put himself front and center at heavyweight last time out, Parker would prevail on short notice against Martin Bakolie in February.
Initially, Parker was set to fight Daniel Dubois — who takes on Usyk this weekend — until the Londoner withdrew from the showdown.
But with the duo rematching this weekend at Wembley, Parker has laid out his intentions to fight Usyk before too soon in the ring.
Joseph Parker reveals chance encounter with Oleksandr Usyk in Italy
Previously challenging the likes of Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz for gold in the past, Parker admits he’s still gunning for an elusive shot at undisputed spoils.
And meeting with incoming undisputed title chaser Usyk in Rome earlier this month, Parker revealed he is just waiting on official confirmation on a potential showdown.
I know Frank Warren said a few things that I might be next to fight for undisputed unification,” Parker told The Sun.
“But there were no discussions. And for me, it’s just words at the moment.
It’d be nice to get something in writing and to get something solid. But at the moment, it’s just words,” Parker continued.
“If it can happen, I’ll be extremely over the moon.”
But with potentially just a single fight remaining in his career, Usyk remains candid on whether or not that possible swan song could come against the Auckland native.
Oleksandr Usyk unsure on potential fight with Joseph Parker
Snubbed by Usyk, who was ordered to fight him for the WBO title earlier this year, Parker certainly isn’t giving up hope just yet, however.
But ahead of his re-run with Dubois, the Ukrainian remained non-committal on a pairing with Parker next — despite his open challenge in Italy.
“We said, ‘Hey, how are you?'” Usyk told talkSPORT of his encounter with Parker. “Maybe organize like a fight. Maybe, I don’t know.
“I respect — he’s a great man, Joseph Parker. He’s kind — great smile, man. He’s good.”
First up for Usyk, however, he must get through Dubois in their rematch — and land himself the undisputed heavyweight throne for the first time in the space of a year.