Former WBO Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker is eyeing a major rematch with Anthony Joshua, signaling a potential clash that could reignite Joshua’s world title aspirations and shake up the heavyweight division. Parker, who currently holds the WBO Interim Championship and is positioned as the mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk’s title, extended the invitation for a fight with Joshua during a recent interview with FastSlots.
Parker’s call for a showdown with Joshua comes at a pivotal time in the career of the British boxer. Despite suffering a devastating fifth-round knockout against IBF Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois in September, Joshua continues to be a box office giant, commanding a massive global fanbase. Parker, reflecting on Joshua’s ability to maintain such popularity despite the loss, stated, “AJ is always going to be a big fight because he’s a massive draw. I think it’s only AJ who can come off a loss to Daniel Dubois in such a dramatic fashion and still command a huge following.”
That loss to Dubois not only halted Joshua’s bid to become a three-time heavyweight champion, but it also left him at a crossroads in his quest for the world title. Currently, the 34-year-old Joshua is focused on recovering from a minor injury sustained during his last bout, and according to his promoter Eddie Hearn, he isn’t ready to resume full training just yet.
Despite this, Parker, who was defeated by Joshua in their March 2018 encounter—where Joshua unified the IBF, WBA, and WBO titles, believes he has evolved into a much more formidable fighter since that time. Reflecting on their first meeting, Parker said, “He’s been the poster boy for a long time, so he’s always going to have that pull. Fighting AJ guarantees a lucrative purse because he fills arenas.” The New Zealand boxer also made it clear that if he is unable to secure a world title shot against Usyk or Dubois, he would love to face Joshua again to avenge his previous loss.
Parker added, “If I’m unable to face Usyk or Dubois for the world championship, I would love to take on Anthony Joshua, Joe Joyce, or Dillian Whyte to rectify those defeats. I genuinely feel like I’m a different fighter now.” For Parker, a victory against Joshua could be the perfect stepping stone to a much-coveted world title shot.
For Joshua, however, a win against Parker would be a crucial step toward redemption, helping him regain his place in the heavyweight title picture. With his career potentially entering its twilight years, a win could provide Joshua with a much-needed boost, offering renewed hope of reclaiming his former glory.
In a larger context, Joshua’s path to regaining a world title could be further complicated by another heavyweight legend, Deontay Wilder. The American former champion has been vocal about wanting to fight Joshua and hinted at a possible match-up, saying, “Not this year for sure, but shortly. Maybe sometime next year. But all of that is close.” Despite recent struggles, Wilder remains eager for a chance at a comeback, with plans to fight Tyrrell Herndon in June.
As the heavyweight landscape continues to evolve, a potential rematch between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker could be the perfect catalyst for both men to reclaim their positions as top contenders. Stay tuned as these heavyweight warriors look to rewrite their legacies in the coming months.
