'Maybe Joseph Parker' - Kiwi back in title frame after Usyk's stunning win
Moments after Usyk spectacularly stopped Daniel Dubois in front of 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium this morning to become the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time, the 38-year-old Ukranian, who many believed would retire after conquering the world yet again, said stopping was not on his agenda.
'Thirty-eight is a young guy, remember,' he said in the ring. 'Thirty-eight is only the start.
'Next, I don't know. I want to rest… I want to go home to my family, my wife and children.
'Maybe Tyson Fury, maybe Derek Chisora, maybe Anthony Joshua, maybe Joseph Parker.'
ADVERTISEMENT
Parker, 33, a former world champion, is the mandatory challenger of the WBO belt, one of several that Usyk holds.
But such are the twists and turns of professional boxing that nothing is guaranteed.
Indeed, Parker was lined up to fight Dubois in Riyadh in February only for the Englishman to pull out on the eve of the bout due to a conveniently-timed illness after having a conversation with Usyk, so no one on his team is sure about what will happen next.
Joseph Parker knocks out Martin Bakole in Riyadh in February. (Source: Photosport)
Parker's manager David Higgins told 1News: 'Our team thought it was great that Joseph was mentioned but at the same time Joseph is the mandatory challenger with the WBO.
'He's earned it on merit and waited a long time. A couple of the names [Usyk] mentioned he's already beaten twice. In our view it's a bit silly fighting someone he's already beaten twice.
'The funny thing about boxing is that anything can happen. On paper Joseph is the WBO mandatory challenger… in practice we hope he does [fight Parker] and if he doesn't, we'd hope the sanctioning body would strip the title or the title is vacated.
ADVERTISEMENT
'You might see a scenario where Joseph fights for the WBO title but against someone else.'
In other words, nothing much has changed, but that did not stop Parker from pushing his case in the ring afterwards.
A social media post published by Parker shows the South Aucklander in the packed ring in the aftermath of the fight congratulating Usyk, still undefeated after 24 professional fights, and inquiring of his plans.
'Bro, I don't know,' Usyk responds in what is a friendly conversation. 'Give me the time, I want to rest.'
Professional boxing's capricious paymaster Turki al-Sheik has already stated that he wants Usyk to fight rising English talent Moses Itauma next but previously the Saudi Arabian has spoken of his wish to lure Fury out of retirement to fight Usyk.
Usyk, who has now beaten Dubois twice, this second time more convincingly via a stunning fifth-round stoppage, has already beaten Fury twice. He has also beaten Joshua twice.
ADVERTISEMENT
Such is his quality and accuracy that Usyk always appears improved in rematches so it would make little sense in terms of his legacy to fight either of those English opponents again.
Not surprisingly, Higgins agrees.
'If Usyk is about legacy he'll fight Joseph because it will be for the undisputed title – all the belts… if Usyk chooses to vacate the WBO title and fight Fury or Joshua that's about money…'
Higgins is not the only one who thinks Parker deserves his shot.
English promoter Frank Warren, Dubois' handler, said immediately afterwards: 'The WBO have already ordered that he as the WBO champion has to make his mandatory defence against Joe Parker, so it's Joe Parker's time.'
And none other than Lennox Lewis, the English former undisputed heavyweight champion, said: 'Joseph Parker has the best chance now. They have been freezing Joseph Parker out. Joseph needs that next fight so get him in there.'
Higgins added: 'In just over 12 months Joe has beaten Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole – he's on a roll. He's earned his shot. Hopefully the merit-based system kicks in and Joseph gets his chance.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
1News
12 hours ago
- 1News
The big winners from the first three All Blacks Tests of the year
Analysis: Lock Fabian Holland was the best of the new crop, while a super-sub midfielder proved he is too valuable for the bench, writes Patrick McKendry. The hard data on the first three Tests of the year is in for All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, who will have seen several newcomers repay his faith, including Fabian Holland and Du'Plessis Kirifi, and several veterans enhance their reputations, most obviously Beauden Barrett and younger brother Jordie. Holland, the 22-year-old Netherlands-born lock with one of the better backstories at this level, looked every inch the international second-rower over three 80-minute Tests, with Kirifi displaying an impressive maturity in adapting to his late call-up to start Saturday's 29-19 victory over France in Hamilton. Beauden Barrett's stocks, meanwhile, probably rose after the weekend despite not being involved in the Test due to a hand fracture which Robertson is confident will heal in time for the start of the Rugby Championship next month. Barrett brought a calmness to the first two Tests that was not evident at Waikato Stadium under Damian McKenzie's stewardship, although that should be mitigated by the experimental look to the All Blacks line-up which clearly exacerbated the lack of cohesion. ADVERTISEMENT There is no doubt either than Jordie is by far the nation's best second-five and, if anything, his sabbatical at Irish club Leinster appears to have moulded him into a more complete Test player. Used to running against big European defenders, Jordie, who replaced Quinn Tupaea ahead of the final quarter, was the perfect player to break down the stubborn French resistance due to his willingness to charge headlong into metaphorical brick walls. It took bravery to consistently do that and also sent a message that Jordie, a late inclusion to the bench due to Rieko Ioane's hamstring issue on the eve of the match, was a threat every time he got the ball. It was Jordie's decisiveness to take on France replacement lock Romain Taofifenua – all 2.0m and 135kg of him – which led to Brodie McAlister's game-sealing try. His scramble back on defence to close out the flying Emilien Gailleton in the corner when his team was defending a 22-19 lead should not be underestimated either. Jordie Barrett, left, and brother Beauden after the first Test in Dunedin. (Source: Photosport) Tupaea, in his first Test in three years, appeared stretched at times as he re-adjusted to the pace of Test rugby. The All Blacks squad dispersed yesterday but one of Tupaea's review clips will likely feature an attack in the first half when his side, trailing 10-16 at the time, won excellent ball from a quick lineout in their own territory and McKenzie found him in a lot of space with Anton Lienert-Brown, Ruben Love and Will Jordan outside him. ADVERTISEMENT It was a four-on-two situation but, rather than exploit that with the array of attacking talent at his disposal, Tupaea cut back in, was tackled, and then penalised for not releasing the ball. French captain Gael Fickou showed his experience at the breakdown by coming in from the side and disrupting the All Blacks' support players. Robertson was clearly happy with the impact of his bench in Hamilton, and rightly so given the physicality of prop George Bower, hooker Brodie McAlister and loose forward Dalton Papali'i, but Jordie made the largest contribution and a problem for the head coach is that the 28-year-old is too valuable to be on the bench for the biggest Tests. Veteran hooker Codie Taylor's performances over the first two Tests also underlined his importance to the side, while Ardie Savea, installed as captain after Scott Barrett's calf tear in Dunedin, was his usual inspirational self. Will Jordan, who scored his 41st Test try in his 43rd Test at the weekend, is clearly the nation's best outside back – no matter where he plays in the back three. A word, too, on Tupou Vaa'i, the converted blindside flanker who was missed by his team in Hamilton. He may have been a reluctant convert from lock when first asked to play in the black No.6 jersey at the 2023 World Cup but he proved in Dunedin and Wellington that he has the instincts to excel there. With prop Tamaiti Williams (knee) and Wallace Sititi (ankle) to return, the All Blacks' pack will feature, power, pace and creativity for the upcoming Tests against Argentina, South Africa and Australia, starting with the Pumas in Cordoba on August 17. ADVERTISEMENT Look out, too, for the inclusion of the returning Leicester Fainga'anuku, a midfielder or wing who possesses all of the above qualities, for the Rugby Championship squad of 36 that Robertson will name on August 4.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Career-best leap for McTaggart
Olivia McTaggart attempts another height during the women's pole vault final at the Diamond League in London yesterday. PHOTO: REUTERS New Zealand pole vaulter Olivia McTaggart hit her stride in London yesterday. She soaked up the noise from a 60,000-strong crowd at London Stadium to produce the performance of her career. McTaggart leaped to a lifetime best, clearing 4.73m to claim the top spot at the United Kingdom's only stop on the Diamond League circuit. McTaggart won the event ahead of one of the strongest pole vault fields assembled this season, including hometown hero Molly Caudery, the 2024 world indoor champion, and Katie Moon (United States), the 2020 Olympic champion and 2022 and 2023 world champion. The effort eclipsed her previous best of 4.71m, which she jumped just five days earlier at the Spitzen Leichtathletik meet in Switzerland. The height is also the world championships entry standard, all but securing her spot in Tokyo for the world championships next month, pending official selection from Athletics New Zealand. While four competitors cleared 4.73m, McTaggart was the only one do to so on her second attempt. Moon, Angelica Moser (Switzerland) and Emily Grove (US) all required three attempts at the height. Alongside McTaggart, the four remaining athletes all fell short of clearing the next height in the progression of 4.84m, leaving the Diamond League crown to the New Zealander. The Auckland-based vaulter has been training and living in Loughborough, UK, for the past several months, competing on the European circuit. The Diamond League circuit enjoys a brief hiatus over the next few weeks before roaring back into life again on August 16 in Silesia. — APL
1News
a day ago
- 1News
'Maybe Joseph Parker' - Kiwi back in title frame after Usyk's stunning win
Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight world champion and perhaps the best heavyweight boxer of his generation, has mentioned New Zealander Joseph Parker as a potential next opponent. Moments after Usyk spectacularly stopped Daniel Dubois in front of 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium this morning to become the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time, the 38-year-old Ukranian, who many believed would retire after conquering the world yet again, said stopping was not on his agenda. 'Thirty-eight is a young guy, remember,' he said in the ring. 'Thirty-eight is only the start. 'Next, I don't know. I want to rest… I want to go home to my family, my wife and children. 'Maybe Tyson Fury, maybe Derek Chisora, maybe Anthony Joshua, maybe Joseph Parker.' ADVERTISEMENT Parker, 33, a former world champion, is the mandatory challenger of the WBO belt, one of several that Usyk holds. But such are the twists and turns of professional boxing that nothing is guaranteed. Indeed, Parker was lined up to fight Dubois in Riyadh in February only for the Englishman to pull out on the eve of the bout due to a conveniently-timed illness after having a conversation with Usyk, so no one on his team is sure about what will happen next. Joseph Parker knocks out Martin Bakole in Riyadh in February. (Source: Photosport) Parker's manager David Higgins told 1News: 'Our team thought it was great that Joseph was mentioned but at the same time Joseph is the mandatory challenger with the WBO. 'He's earned it on merit and waited a long time. A couple of the names [Usyk] mentioned he's already beaten twice. In our view it's a bit silly fighting someone he's already beaten twice. 'The funny thing about boxing is that anything can happen. On paper Joseph is the WBO mandatory challenger… in practice we hope he does [fight Parker] and if he doesn't, we'd hope the sanctioning body would strip the title or the title is vacated. ADVERTISEMENT 'You might see a scenario where Joseph fights for the WBO title but against someone else.' In other words, nothing much has changed, but that did not stop Parker from pushing his case in the ring afterwards. A social media post published by Parker shows the South Aucklander in the packed ring in the aftermath of the fight congratulating Usyk, still undefeated after 24 professional fights, and inquiring of his plans. 'Bro, I don't know,' Usyk responds in what is a friendly conversation. 'Give me the time, I want to rest.' Professional boxing's capricious paymaster Turki al-Sheik has already stated that he wants Usyk to fight rising English talent Moses Itauma next but previously the Saudi Arabian has spoken of his wish to lure Fury out of retirement to fight Usyk. Usyk, who has now beaten Dubois twice, this second time more convincingly via a stunning fifth-round stoppage, has already beaten Fury twice. He has also beaten Joshua twice. ADVERTISEMENT Such is his quality and accuracy that Usyk always appears improved in rematches so it would make little sense in terms of his legacy to fight either of those English opponents again. Not surprisingly, Higgins agrees. 'If Usyk is about legacy he'll fight Joseph because it will be for the undisputed title – all the belts… if Usyk chooses to vacate the WBO title and fight Fury or Joshua that's about money…' Higgins is not the only one who thinks Parker deserves his shot. English promoter Frank Warren, Dubois' handler, said immediately afterwards: 'The WBO have already ordered that he as the WBO champion has to make his mandatory defence against Joe Parker, so it's Joe Parker's time.' And none other than Lennox Lewis, the English former undisputed heavyweight champion, said: 'Joseph Parker has the best chance now. They have been freezing Joseph Parker out. Joseph needs that next fight so get him in there.' Higgins added: 'In just over 12 months Joe has beaten Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole – he's on a roll. He's earned his shot. Hopefully the merit-based system kicks in and Joseph gets his chance.'
