Joseph Parker is genuine test for Anthony Joshua, says Johnny Nelson
Wednesday 28 September 2016 16:04, UK
Johnny Nelson believes Joseph Parker is a southern hemisphere "superstar" who will be a genuine threat when he takes on Anthony Joshua.
The unbeaten Kiwi is the IBF world heavyweight champion's mandatory challenger but is taking on experienced Alexander Dimitrenko on Saturday in a fight you can see on Sky Sports.
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Parker (20-0-KO17) is on the Joshua shortlist and could even face him at the end of November if he makes light work of Saturday's opponent and Nelson warned British fight fans not to underestimate the 24-year-old from Auckland.
"In New Zealand, he is a big deal," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"I remember fighting in New Zealand against Jimmy Thunder. Nobody had heard of him over here in the United Kingdom but he was a big deal down there.
"Parker is a superstar down there. They are expecting him to come back with the goods and walk straight through Anthony Joshua, so let's not be fooled just because we don't know him that well. He has got a lot to offer.
Parker is a superstar down there in New Zealand. They are expecting him to come back with the goods and walk straight through Anthony Joshua
"He's got a lot to push forward on because he is as successful down there as Joshua is here.
"He's got a lot of attributes. I like him. He is hungry, he's unbeaten and he is at the same level as Anthony Joshua.
"People in the game say it is the perfect test because he is young and unbeaten and fancies he can do the job.
"We will see who has developed the fastest out of the two of them. He is the mandatory so Joshua has to fight him regardless. This is the sort of fight you don't take for granted."
You can watch Parker v Dimitrenko in full from 8.00pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 2, before we switch live to Germany for Braehmer v Cleverly.
