Anthony Joshua could be offered Joseph Parker rematch instead of Tyson Fury fight at Wembley this summer
Tyson Fury's retirement announcement could have opened the door for Joseph Parker to instead face Anthony Joshua at Wembley this summer; the New Zealander will firstly challenge Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title in Saudi Arabia on February 22
Tuesday 14 January 2025 12:53, UK
Joseph Parker would replace Tyson Fury as the next opponent for Anthony Joshua, says the New Zealander's promoter David Higgins.
Tyson Fury's sudden retirement announcement on Monday has derailed plans for a British blockbuster fight against Joshua at Wembley Stadium this summer.
But Parker has been put forward as a replacement opponent for Joshua, provided that the Kiwi defeats Daniel Dubois in their IBF heavyweight title fight in Saudi Arabia on Saturday February 22.
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"One hundred per cent [Joshua would interest Parker]," Parker's promoter David Higgins told Sky Sports.
"[Joshua's promoter] Eddie Hearn has been good to work with and Joseph has always wanted a rematch. Depending on how the cards fall, it would be great if Parker and Joshua fought again."
Could Parker fight Dubois and then AJ?
Asked about a summer showdown with Joshua, Higgins said: "If the date is further enough off. One thing about Joseph Parker and Eddie Hearn knows this, he backs up quickly.
"Parker will fight two or three months apart. If Parker wins against Dubois and is offered a big money fight, a rematch against Joshua at Wembley in three months, I'm sure he would jump at it.
"But then again, we've got to pay respect to Turki Al-Sheikh [chair of General Authority for Entertainment in Saudi Arabia] and the Saudi Arabia promoters and others involved. I'm sure they would have a say as well.
"I know for a fact, Joseph would love a sold out Wembley against Joshua in a rematch. It would be a big occasion."
Hearn confirmed that Joshua would target the winner of Dubois' IBF title defence against Parker.
"Joshua's career now is not about Tyson Fury, it's about regaining the world heavyweight championship," Hearn told Sky Sports.
"We look to the winner of Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker, or another challenge in the heavyweight division."
Joshua required extra time to recover from minor injuries following a knockout loss against Dubois in September, which prevented an immediate rematch.
The two-time world champion has also shared the ring with Parker before, sealing a unanimous decision win in their unification clash in Cardiff in 2018.
But Parker has pulled off the two best wins of his career, within a few months, defeating Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang to earn a shot at Dubois.
"Very serious, he means business," said Higgins, while reflecting on Parker's current mindset.
"He's very focused and has a one track mind on beating Dubois."