Joseph Parker

Joshua's suave promoter Eddie Hearn laid out his ideal plans for 2018, provided his man can come through his defence of the IBF and WBA belts against brutish Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in Cardiff on October 28.

Hearn felt Wilder, the big-hitting WBC champion, held more appeal than Parker, the undefeated WBO champion who is yet to win over British audiences on the back of his recent ugly defence against Hughie Fury in Manchester.

"I think that's going to be the big fight," Hearn told Boxing News of Joshua stepping in the ring with American Wilder.

Parker defended his WBO world heavyweight title against Hughie Fury in Manchester on September 24, getting a controversial majority points decision 114-114, 118-110, 118-110.

The Fury camp has been up in arms about the decision, appealing to the British Boxing Board of Control who handled the fight for the WBO, and pleading for a rematch.

The Parker camp, backed by many pundits, believe their man won comfortably, though admitted the scoring by two judges who handed 10 of the 12 rounds to the Kiwi were a little generous.READ MORE:
 

Bellew, a pumped up cruiserweight, has long been touted as an opponent for WBO world heavyweight champion Parker.

But Bellew has signed for a rematch with Haye that is set down for London in December.

The theory is the winner will go on to fight Parker and if the Kiwi can come through that he will seek a unification bout with Britain's main man, WBA and IBF champion Anthony Joshua.

Rugged Australian heavyweight Lucas Browne has been busy calling out Hughie Fury but could have a chance to get a long-heralded shot at Joseph Parker instead.

The 38-year-old Browne was quick to put some heat on the scene after Parker got past Fury by a majority points decision in an ugly WBO world title defence in Manchester on September 24.

Brown, who is promoted by Manchester legend Ricky Hatton, said Parker was the clear winner.

That's a basic summation of what's in store, with the Kiwi heavyweight's handlers eager to see him fight again in December and get his knockout style back on track.

After a frustrating but successful defence of the WBO world heavyweight title against Fury, they want to put an opponent in front of Parker who suits his style.

That's their prerogative now they are free of the mandatory situation and can make a voluntary defence on their own terms.

Reports of Parker moving to Britain are well wide of the mark after the 25-year-old spoke to local media in London in the buildup to his WBO world heavyweight defence against Hughie Fury.

Parker wanted to clarify the situation and says his aim is to fight more in Britain, but he will not be doing any of his base training there.

"We have a great set-up in Las Vegas. I love being in Vegas, all our camps will be in Vegas, we are just going to spend more time in the UK in terms of fighting," Parker said, quickly adding, "But New Zealand will still be home for me."

Trainer Kevin Barry labelled Joseph Parker's UK debut "a pretty damn good win" and a result that will help set up the Kiwi heavyweight's future.

Parker retained his WBO world heavyweight title with a majority points decision over Hughie Fury in the Manchester Arena on Sunday.

While the Fury camp reacted angrily at the outcome, Barry had no doubts about the result and had plenty of praise for his 25-year-old fighter who got was scored 114-114, 118-110, 118-110 by a panel of American and British judges.

Parker's majority decision over Hughie Fury in Manchester on Sunday sparked an angry reaction from the Fury camp with Hughie Fury's manager, Mick Hennessy, claiming he intended to appeal, alleging the decision was "corruption at the highest level in boxing".

The Daily Express newspaper reported Tyson Fury jumped over the ropes expecting the decision - and the WBO heavyweight title - to go to his cousin.

Parker has scored a majority points decision over Briton Hughie Fury in their 12 round title fight in Manchester.

Two judges had Parker winning 118-110, while the third had it 114-all.

All of the rounds were even with Parker unable to land the knockout blow while Fury spent the fight on the back foot to keep out of trouble.

He did however stay in contention with his job.

The judges would have favoured Parker's aggression, while Fury spent most of his time in defence.

Speaking after he lost his cool and shoved Parker at the weigh-in for Saturday's (Sunday NZ time) showdown in Manchester, Fury put the exchange down to "a bit of adrenaline kicking in".

With Parker repeatedly calling him "little boy" during the traditional stare down, in reference to the 10kg in weight Fury is giving away, and urged on by local supporters, the Englishman eventually cracked and got physical.

Joseph Parker and Hughie Fury tussle at the weigh-in ahead of their heavyweight title fight.