Clamoring for his overdue title opportunity with Oleksandr Usyk, Kiwi veteran Joseph Parker may have more work to do, firstly, however.
Boasting the interim WBO heavyweight crown, perennial contender Joseph Parker has long been linked to a showdown with Oleksandr Usyk — in a fresh challenge to the undisputed champion’s throne.
And with Usyk’s undisclosed injury proving a rather sizeable stumbling block to Parker’s return, the interim champion doesn’t appear to have many options available to him.
However, a particular rematch against another British veteran has been floated this week, against a foe with whom Parker is all too familiar with.
Joseph Parker offered trilogy bout with Derek Chisora
Twice sharing the ring with Derek Chisora, who currently holds the number eight rank in the WBO pile, Parker has beaten the former WBC heavyweight title challenger.
Securing an initial split-judging win over Chisora, Parker would go one better in their immediate rematch back in 2021, winning a unanimous decision that time around.
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But with Usyk sidelined indefinitely as he deals with another injury setback, Chisora was linked with a trilogy fight against Parker this week, in rather impromptu fashion.
“It’s quite possible he (Derek Chisora) will fight (Joseph) Parker, isn’t it?” Goldstar Promotions leader Spencer Brown told IFL TV.
“Yeah, it’s a good fight as well,” Brown explained. “Dance again — a nice dance again for these two. He’s (Chisora) ready. As you can see he’s getting more and more aggressive.”
“Joe is over here [Riyadh], so you’ll get the feeling when Joe is over here, won’t you?”
Joseph Parker played down as a threat to Oleksandr Usyk
And with any sort of pairing against Usyk hitting the skids for the time being, Parker has been ruled out as far as a significant threat to the unbeaten Ukrainian star.
As far as Richie Woodhall is concerned, Usyk’s biggest threat comes in the form of another familiar foe who he has twice fought.
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Playing down a rumored fight between Usyk and the unbeaten Moses Itauma, Woodhall claims Tyson Fury is the sole fighter who could possibly topple the undisputed champion in a trilogy fight.
“Tyson Fury, I think, is probably the one for me that possibly could beat Usyk. I think Moses Itauma and Usyk are going to miss each other, aren’t they?”