Anthony Joshua is fully aware of Joseph Parker’s ‘menace’ and will likely avoid a rematch, according to Parker’s promoter, David Higgins.
Joshua observed from ringside as Parker delivered a devastating knockout win over Martin Bakole, who replaced Daniel Dubois after he was sidelined by illness.
Higgins, Parker’s promoter, suggests that the Dubois vs Parker fight may not be rescheduled but has raised doubts about whether Joshua will be keen on facing the New Zealander again.
“Joe would jump in with AJ in a heartbeat but I reckon AJ wouldn’t take the fight,” Higgins told Sky Sports. That’s my view.
“I think AJ is a nice guy and he’s had a good career but I think in recent times he hasn’t looked comfortable in the ring, particularly in that last fight. He didn’t want to be there.
“The way that Joseph is fighting, it would be a very risky call by him and his handlers to jump in the ring with Parker. Most boxers take the lower risk option, except for Joseph Parker. He takes the highest risk and the toughest option.”
Parker was beaten on points by Joshua in their first fight in 2018, but the former WBO world champion is enjoying the most impressive spell of his career, with recent wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Bakole.
“I think fight by fight, the last three, Joseph is establishing more credibility, more menace and fight by fight, they will all be going, ‘This fighter is dangerous.’
“After the other day, they’ll all be going, ‘He really is dangerous.”
“We’ll see what happens next. We’ll wait and see what the Saudi authorities and Queensberry offer next and we’ll go from there.
“Joseph would like to get back in the ring as soon as possible. Four months. He doesn’t mess around, he just wants to keep going.
“Anywhere, it would be ideal in the summer.”
Following Joseph Parker’s victory over Martin Bakole, the WBO named him the mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk.
However, Usyk, who has stated he will retire after two more bouts, is expected to first face Daniel Dubois in a rematch for the undisputed heavyweight titles.
