Boxing

The 24-year-old South Aucklander's trainer Kevin Barry tweeted on Friday afternoon that his young charge was now rated No 1 with the WBO.

"As of today Joseph Parker is now ranked #1 with the WBO #TEAMPARKER," Barry said to his 5,700 followers.

Parker, who moved to 18-0-KO16 by beating Jason Bergman two weeks ago, is one of many who have called out the British and Commonwealth champion in recent weeks.

Joshua's next opponent – who will not be Dereck Chisora- is expected to be confirmed by the end of the week but the 26-year-old made it clear that he is more than happy to take on Parker.

The Joseph Parker versus Jason Bergman heavyweight bout lived up to its hype following a stellar eight round battle.

The 24-year-old takes on American Southpaw Jason Bergman in Apia tonight hoping to extend his professional record to 18 and 0.

The Rumble in Paradise will be Parker's sixth fight in 10 months and he admits he's looking forward to a holiday once he's dealt with the business in the ring.

An elated Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi made the comment during the big island oriented weigh-in this morning.

Parker, a 24-year-old Samoan New Zealander, has never been beaten in 16 professional bouts, while the 31-year-old Bergman has won 16 of his last 18 fights.

RNZ International's correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says villagers have decorated the road from the airport to the capital to celebrate Parker's first fight in Samoa.

"I’ve been ready, give me 11 weeks of training camp and I am all set to take on the best in the world," he said during an interview with Loop Samoa earlier today.

Tired and weary after touching down in Auckland off a long-haul flight from the United States, that didn't stop Bergman from making any bold declarations for the January 23 fight, billed as the 'Rumble in Paradise'.

Bergman's record stands at 25-11-2 with 16 knockouts but the stocky American comes with some pedigree having sparred with three world champions, most recent recently WBC title-holder Deontay Wilder ahead of this weekend's defence against Artur Szpilka.

The 'Rumble in Paradise' against American Jason Bergman will be Parker's sixth fight in the last 10 months and the busy schedule is catching up with him.

Parker's battle with American Bergman in Apia, which will be screened live on pay per view television, has been tagged "Rumble in Paradise", but the South Aucklander's recent four-week camp has been anything but.