Joe Parker’s manager, David Higgins, says: “A rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr would be fantastic”
Joseph Parker (30-2, 21KOs) has plenty of options after beating Derek Chisora twice last year and, according to his manager, David Higgins, the WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight champion would welcome the opportunity to face old foe Andy Ruiz Jr. (34-2, 22KOs) in a rematch.
The pair fought back in 2016 to a mixed decision for the vacant WBO strap, which home fighter Parker just managed to win by a couple of rounds on two of the three judges' cards.
Since his second win over Dereck Chisora in December, speculation has been rife recently linking Parker to an IBF eliminator clash with Croatian contender, Filip Hrgovic, but Higgins would prefer his heavyweight charge to challenge former unified world champion Ruiz in America. The Mexican’s profile has grown massively since defeating Anthony Joshua in 2019, and Higgins wants Parker to try and repeat his win over the 32-year-old 'Destroyer'.
“The Holy Grail is to become a draw on both sides of the Atlantic, and only few have done that,” said Higgins when speaking to Sky Sports.
“For Joseph to grow his career he should look stateside and look for big knockouts against American fighters.
“A rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr would be fantastic. Parker beat Ruiz Jr in a very close fight in New Zealand. Had it have been in America, it may have gone the other way. Andy wants a rematch. Fighting him in America is interested because he has a cult following among Mexican-Americans.”
Now training with Eddy Reynoso, Ruiz has bounced back from his loss to 'AJ' in their 2019 rematch with a unanimos decision win over countryman Chris Arreola in May 2021. Suddenly, the Californian is in demand, even being linked with WBC champ Tyson Fury.
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