Joseph Parker expects to cross paths with heavyweight rival Anthony Joshua in the future
Tuesday 12 January 2016 10:10, UK
Joseph Parker believes he is on a collision course with Anthony Joshua as both unbeaten heavyweights edge closer to world title shots.
The big-punching 23-year-old has plotted a similar career path as Joshua, which has seen both fighters surge up the rankings with a string of explosive knockouts.
Parker halted all five of his opponents in 2015 - the same number of stoppages as Joshua last year - and the New Zealand-born fighter will maintain his busy schedule by facing Jason Bergman on January 23.
Joshua and Parker both occupy lofty positions in the IBF rankings and could even face-off in a world title eliminator after Vyacheslav Glazkov and Charles Martin battle for the vacant belt on January 16.
"I believe that Anthony Joshua is a great fighter and he's doing very well on that side of the world," Parker told Sky Sports.
"I've been following his progress and what he's been doing. It makes me a little jealous, knowing that there are a lot of heavyweights in the UK and there is a lot of great fights for everyone there.
"In New Zealand and Australia, we don't really have the other heavyweights to contend against.
"I believe if we keep doing well and we keep winning, probably in the future we can meet up somewhere. I definitely have a lot of respect for him and his team. We are taking the same paths in what we're doing in our careers."
Parker has halted 15 of his 17 opponents and would expect a dramatic battle with Joshua, who extended his perfect record to 15 stoppages after detonating a big uppercut on Dillian Whyte in the seventh round of their December grudge fight.
We've both got good records and good knockout power. It will be an exciting fight for the future.
He said: "It will definitely be explosive and you have to feel that if I fight with Joshua, we'll definitely put in the work, train hard and it's a big fight for both of us, but I believe it's a fight that can happen in the future.
"We've both got good records and good knockout power. It will be an exciting fight for the future.
"If you have two big heavyweights in a ring and one lands a big punch, then it can change anything. It depends who is more ready on the night."
Joshua withstood a second-round assault from Whyte before ending the fight in brutal fashion and Parker was impressed with his rival's latest win.
"I tuned in from New Zealand and watched the fight," said Parker. "Those boys, they definitely went out there and gave it their best. Joshua came out in the end and got that nice uppercut and knocked him out.
"It just shows that he's been working hard, has good stamina, and has definitely got power. I followed that with interest. What can I say, he's doing a great job."
If he adds another win this month, then Parker is keen to test himself against Britain's big names and hopes to showcase his knockout power on these shores.
"The UK is the spot right now for boxing and it's the hottest place to be for boxing," he said. "There is a lot of great heavyweights and a lot of great fighters there.
"I believe that our team are planning and trying our best to come there some time this year and display what we have."
