Boxing

Joseph Parker's handlers eyeing USA link

It is an alignment which Duco Events will seek regardless of whether Parker wins or loses his world heavyweight title fight against Ruiz Jr at Auckland's Vector Arena on December 10.

Parker says he will prove Barry wrong

Barry rates Parker's oppponent American Andy Ruiz as the favourite for the December 10th fight and believes Ruiz has better hand speed than his charge.

But Parker who has just returned from a training camp in Las Vegas said he will prove Barry wrong.

"Andy does have fast hands but I believe I am faster. I'll prove Kevin wrong come fight night that I will be the faster fighter. Kevin did say that Andy was the favourite but he didn't say I was going to lose...this is my time."

This will be Parker's fifth fight of the year but he believes he is in good shape.

Joseph Parker has 'total package' to beat Andy Ruiz, says Dan Rafael

Joseph Parker has a much better "total package" than Andy Ruiz and is favored to win their WBO heavyweight title fight.

That's the opinion of Dan Rafael, one of the world's most respected boxing writers who works for ESPN.

Rafael was speaking in Las Vegas with an eager eye on the historic title fight in Auckland on December 10.

The well-connected Rafael has been a keen follower of Parker since he came under the tutelage of Vegas-based New Zealand trainer Kevin Barry.

Trampler likes what he sees in NZ's world heavyweight contender Parker

Under Bob Arum, Top Rank Boxing has guided the careers of the likes of Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Manny Pacquaiao, Floyd Mayweather and George Foreman.

Matchmaker Bruce Trampler said that Parker is a talent it couldn't pass up.

"We would love to be involved with Joseph Parker," he said.

"There are not too many Joseph Parkers' in the world, and you have to rank him as one of the best young heavyweights in the world."

Parker won't fight Joshua after Klischko pulls out

Klitschko has a minor injury which he suffered in training and the fight has now been postponed until next year.

Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn announced this morning that with the Ukranian sidelined and with no decision made over whether the WBA title would be on the line, the fight could not happen on the date suggested.

"We've been in deep negotiations for a few weeks now waiting on the decision from the WBA," Hearn said.

Tongan bronze medallist keen to emulate Joseph Parker

He was born and raised in South Auckland and said one of his biggest achievements was winning a bronze medal for Tonga in the super heavyweight division at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

He's best known for being the man who stopped Parker from going to the 2012 London Olympics and of their four amateur encounters, the pair have won two each.

But instead of following the same path as Parker, Fa decided to get a job and start a family.

Fa gears up to take on Parker

RNZ reports Junior Fa will fight in his sixth professional bout against Samoan heavyweight Alapati A'asa on Parker's undercard.

But this won't be the first time Parker and Fa have been in the same ring.

The pair have faced each other four times during their amateur career - both winning two each.

While Parker went pro, Fa decided to start a family and get a full time job.

Now, three years later, Fa's returning to the ring where he hopes to carve out his own path in the professional boxing world with the help of Olympic shot putter, Jacko Gill.

     

Junior Fa plotting path to take on NZ boxing champion Joseph Parker

Fa and Parker have history, splitting their four amateur fights two each, and momentum is slowly building behind the prospect of the pair eventually squaring off in the pro ranks.

Born and raised in South Auckland, Fa attended two Commonwealth Games with Tonga before taking three years out of the sport to have a family.

Joseph Parker's next opponent could be giant Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko

Solomon Haumono portrayed himself as 'Rocky' while Joseph Parker played 'Apollo Creed' in a promotional clip before their heavyweight clash, and the cinematic connection may soon get another chapter.

The identity of Parker's next opponent is due to be revealed by promoter Duco Events on Tuesday.

'He's just like me' - Joseph Parker heaps praise on Anthony Joshua

Speaking to the Crowd Goes Wild Breakfast on Radio Sport, Parker said his British counterpart is the champion for a reason and he can't wait to finally meet him in the ring.

"He's just like me. He works hard, he's put in the work and he's got a great team behind him," Parker said.