JOSEPH PARKER is ready to put friendship aside for a life-changing fight with Tyson Fury.
The heavyweight pair have formed a bromance over the past few years and have been inseparable in training camps.
They have even spent Christmas and New Year’s with each other and it was Fury who introduced cousin Andy Lee to train Parker.
The New Zealander has won his last five bouts and is now in line for the WBO belt he formerly held and now owned by Oleksandr Usyk.
So if Usyk is beaten by Fury in their May 18 undisputed clash Parker could be on the verge of civil war.
But he insisted if the price is right, friendship could be forgotten for 12 rounds or less.
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Parker told iFL TV: “When Tyson wins the fight with Usyk, and I’m in the position to fight for the WBO world title, if it’s going to make a massive change for my life and my family, we’ll do it.
“I reckon he’ll be like, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’ So, he can look after both of us for the rest of our lives
“I want to be world champion, and I want to fight the best, and I believe Tyson is the best.
“If it’s Tyson, we’ll have a quick word and see where we end up. We’ll see.”
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Parker, 32, is already contracted to a rematch with Zhilei Zhang, 40, after beating the Chinese star on points.
But it did earn him the interim WBO belt and the right to challenge whoever is in possession of the gold.
That could be Fury, 35, by the time he unifies all four belts with Usyk, 37, in Riyadh.
But Parker said: “Without Tyson, I wouldn’t have been with Andy Lee. I wouldn’t have been with George Lockhart.
“I wouldn’t have had the team that I have. I’m very grateful to cross paths with him and become a close brother.
“He’s done well for me, and all I can say is thanks to him. It’s great to be back, and there’s more to come.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
