Preview of Joseph Parker vs Razvan Cojanu, live on Sky Sports
Saturday 6 May 2017 11:44, UK
Everything you need to know about Joseph Parker’s world heavyweight title defence against Razvan Cojanu, live on Sky Sports.
Background
Joseph Parker can stake his claim for a future fight with Anthony Joshua when he defends his world title against Razvan Cojanu on Saturday morning.
The WBO heavyweight champion from New Zealand makes the first defence of his belt in his home country from 11am, live on Sky Sports 3 HD, a week after Joshua added the WBA belt to his IBF title against Wladimir Klitschko.
Live Fight Night International
Parker (22-0) was due to meet Hughie Fury, the unbeaten cousin of Tyson's, but his last-gasp withdrawal has opened the door for Romania's Cojanu (16-2), ranked 14th by the WBO. The replacement has a four-inch height advantage and five inches of reach over the champion.
For Parker, the fight represents an opportunity to emerge as a future opponent for Joshua. The New Zealander is two years younger and, from Saturday lunchtime, will have had four more fights. His ownership of WBO gold stands in the way of Joshua's aim of unifying the heavyweight division.
What the fighter says
Joshua is the man to beat so I am looking forward to sitting down and planning a fight with him in the future. There is a goal, show people I belong at the top and am one of the best heavyweights out there, but I just have to focus on what's in front of me.
What the promoter says
Joshua certainly looks the part with the muscles and all that, but he got robotic or predictable a bit, and I wouldn't go quite as far to say chinny, but it's certainly interesting that he's hitting the canvas. Joseph has a rock solid chin.
What the expert thinks
I think it will be Parker next [for Joshua]. He's got a title, Joshua could unify the titles. Out of the bunch, he's the one where you think 'we can win another belt'. Joshua could unify the belts - how long has it been since we had a champion who did that?
Joseph Parker vs Razvan Cojanu is live on Sky Sports 3 HD on Saturday morning at 11am.
