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Anthony Joshua offered rematch with Joseph Parker as ex-world champion claims pair have ‘unfinished business’

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JOSEPH PARKER has officially challenged Anthony Joshua to a rematch and claims the pair have ‘unfinished business’ in the ring.

Former unified heavyweight champ AJ was dethroned by Oleksandr Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September.

Joseph Parker has challenged Anthony Joshua to a rematchCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
AJ beat the New Zealander on points in a drab fight back in 2018Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Joshua invoked his right to an immediate rematch, which his promoter Eddie Hearn hoped to set up for May or June.

But that clash is now in serious doubt following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has seen Usyk bravely take up arms to defend his nation.

The Brit confirmed he would take a bout in the meantime if Usyk is otherwise occupied with more serious matters.

And after Parker’s name was mentioned, AJ claimed that he would ‘smoke’ the New Zealander after originally winning via unanimous decision against him in 2018.

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Now the 30-year-old Parker, who beat Derek Chisora twice last year, insists he is much more confident than before due to training with Tyson Fury’s assistant coach and cousin Andy Lee in the UK.

And he said his camp have already reached out to Joshua and Matchroom’s Hearn over a rematch – and he vowed that things would be ‘different this time’.

He told Vegas Insider: “I saw what Anthony Joshua has said.

“He is keen to fight me and smoke me? Come on, he couldn’t smoke me the first time. Back up what he’s saying then and let’s get on with it. Then let’s see who gets smoked.

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“The first fight in 2018 wasn’t exciting but it came down to us both. If we had a rematch it would be different. If not from him, definitely from me.

“I have been staying on track with training, practicing what Andy Lee has been teaching me and I’m a lot more confident. Time to punch pricks in the face and enjoy it.

“With Andy in my corner and with the new training and newish style we have worked on, I’ll have a lot more confidence. And I only see myself improving and getting better from now on.” 

Parker continued: “My manager David has reached out to Eddie and Frank about myself fighting Joshua. 

“I have texted Frank Smith and said I can fight Joshua if Usyk and Joshua don’t go ahead. It is unfinished business, I feel.

“I feel I’m on the rise. But I can’t really comment whether he is or not. He is still at the top though.”

These quotes first appeared on the Vegas Insider blog.

Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk

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