FORMER heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker is returning to the ring next month in America.
The 27-year-old New Zealander will jet out to Las Vegas over the coming days to prepare for a clash against an as yet unnamed opponent.
Former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker will return to the ring next month in the USCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Eddie Hearn, left, is close to finalising a fight for the New Zealander, according to Parker’s manager David Higgins, rightCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Parker, who lost his WBO Title to Anthony Joshua in March 2018, was due to fight England’s Derek Chisora at The O2 back in October.
But he was forced to pull out through injury caused by a suspected spider bite.
Now his manager David Higgins has told Sky Sports his boxer is ready to get back in the ring as promoter Eddie Hearn puts the finalises his next match.
Higgins said: “There are concrete plans, which it’s not my place to announce. But there is a date and a venue, and it’s the opponent we’re waiting on.
“We’ve been told it will be late February and the United States is what we’re told.
“We’re just waiting on who the opponent is.”
Parker had just one fight in 2019, a stoppage victory over Alex Leapai in Providence in June, but Higgins believes he can get back within title shot contention.
Discussing his next opponent, he said: “It will be someone decent. Joe had a good win over Alex Leapai who fought (Wladimir) Klitschko for a world title, and he won convincingly.
“It’s another step-up. He’s ranked at two now by the WBO, so it’s basically another step towards a better opponent and then after that, should he get a good win, which I think he will, then challenge one of the big boys – Wilder, Fury.
“Joe will fight anyone.”
Parker suffered the first defeat of his career to Joshua and followed that up with a second-successive setback via the scorecards to Dillian Whyte in July 2018.
He bounced back from that double-whammy with a KO win over Alexander Flores in December.
And then he took his record to 26-2 with his TKO win over Leapai.
Watch Tyson Fury dance with Joseph Parker and force Frank Warren to jig in dressing room just before his brutal fight with Wallin
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
