Joseph Parker has got unfinished business with Anthony Joshua
Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker (30-2, 21KOs) has volunteered to fight former foe Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22KOs) in an interim bout while AJ's rematch with Oleksandr Usyk is potentially delayed due to Usyk aiding his native Ukraine.
Joseph Parker told Vegas Insider blog: "AJ said he wants to smoke me, but he couldn't smoke me the first time. I'm much more confident now, so back up what he's saying and let's get on with it."
Parker fought AJ in a fairly drab match in 2018, which AJ won by unanimous decision, but wasn't a spetacular spectacle due to some awkward officiating and inefficient engagement from the New Zealander.
But Parker is training in the UK with Andy Lee, a cousin and assistant coach of his close friend Tyson Fury, and says he's a much more confident fighter than before.
“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.
"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.
“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.
"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.
“Being away from New Zealand in the UK is hard because I miss family and friends and miss the comforts of your own home. It was hard to get back to New Zealand when borders were closed not long ago. It’s opened up now but for boxing there are more opportunities where I am now, and I have a good team up here in England.
"Whatever time I have left in boxing I want to give it my all and when I leave the sport I can say I did my best, did everything I could to be great to win a world title again. It’s tough but I'm up for whatever it takes.”