Latest news with #JosephParker
The Sun
5 days ago
- General
- The Sun
‘Doesn't make sense' – Joseph Parker has theory for Daniel Dubois' last-minute withdrawal as Brit gears up to face Usyk
JOSEPH PARKER can't help but feel the timing of his fight with Daniel Dubois falling through was a tad suspicious. The resurgent New Zealander was set to challenge Triple D for the IBF heavyweight title on a stacked Saudi Arabia card in February. 5 5 But his shot at becoming a two-time heavyweight champion was agonisingly ripped away from him just days before the Riyadh rumble as Dubois was struck down by a viral infection. Dubois, 27, insists he pulled out of the desert dust-up on doctor's orders. Although Parker, who ended up fighting Martin Bakole, can't help but think Oleksandr Usyk 's calls for an undisputed straightener may have played a small role in the Brit's withdrawal. Speaking exclusively to SunSport thanks to Casino Hawks, the 33-year-old said of the fight falling through: "I was left in the dark. "I guess you can't really [doubt him]. I mean, you just got to take his word for it, you know. "He wasn't feeling the best and he pulled out of the fight. "It just doesn't make sense, though, that Usyk was calling him out all week and then he pulled out of the fight. "And then now, they've made this big fight." JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 Dubois will challenge pound-for-pound king Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles in a historic unification bout at Wembley on July 19. And although he still has his suspicions about Dubois' pulling out, Parker won't continue to beat a dead horse. Fans hail brilliant moment stunned Joseph Parker discovers he's fighting Bakole He continued: "If a man says he's sick, he's sick. I've just got to take him for his word." Parker is seemingly in pole position to face the winner of the July joust as he's the mandatory challenger for the WBO strap he held for just under a year and a half. But he's refusing to count his chickens before they hatch, saying: "I know Frank Warren said a few things that I might be next to fight for undisputed unification. "But there were no discussions. And for me, it's just words at the moment. "It'd be nice to get something in writing and to get something solid. But at the moment, it's just words. "If it can happen, I'll be extremely over the moon."
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Doesn't make sense' – Joseph Parker has theory for Daniel Dubois' last-minute withdrawal as Brit gears up to face Usyk
JOSEPH PARKER can't help but feel the timing of his fight with Daniel Dubois falling through was a tad suspicious. The resurgent New Zealander was set to challenge Triple D for the IBF heavyweight title on a stacked Saudi Arabia card in February. Advertisement 5 Joseph Parker was set to face Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title in February Credit: GETTY 5 But Dubois pulled out of their Saudi showdown just days before they were set to throw heavy leather Credit: GETTY 5 Parker can't help but think Oleksandr Usyk's callouts had something to do with Dubois' withdrawal Credit: GETTY But his shot at becoming a two-time heavyweight champion was agonisingly ripped away from him just days before the Riyadh rumble as Dubois, 27, insists he pulled out of the desert dust-up on doctor's orders. Although Speaking exclusively to SunSport thanks to Advertisement READ MORE BOXING NEWS "I guess you can't really [doubt him]. I mean, you just got to take his word for it, you know. "He wasn't feeling the best and he pulled out of the fight. "It just doesn't make sense, though, that Usyk was calling him out all week and then he pulled out of the fight. "And then now, they've made this big fight." Advertisement Most read in Boxing Exclusive JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 Dubois will challenge pound-for-pound king Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles in a historic unification bout at Wembley on July 19. And although he still has his suspicions about Dubois' pulling out, Parker won't continue to beat a dead horse. Advertisement Fans hail brilliant moment stunned Joseph Parker discovers he's fighting Bakole He continued: "If a man says he's sick, he's sick. I've just got to take him for his word." Parker is seemingly in pole position to face the winner of the July joust as he's the mandatory challenger for the WBO strap he held for just under a year and a half. But he's refusing to count his chickens before they hatch, saying: "I know next to fight for undisputed unification. "But there were no discussions. And for me, it's just words at the moment. Advertisement "It'd be nice to get something in writing and to get something solid. But at the moment, it's just words. "If it can happen, I'll be extremely over the moon." 5 Joseph Parker is in pole position to fight the winner of the July rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois Credit: RICHARD PELHAM
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Moses Itauma reaches number one in WBO ratings
Moses Itauma is one step closer to a shot at a world title after the British heavyweight was moved up to number one in the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) ratings. Itauma, now 12-0 (10), made quick work of Mike Balogun on the undercard of Taylor-Essuman, sending the American down to the canvas three times before a second-round stoppage. The 20-year-old has risen to number one after Justis Huni was removed from the WBO's ratings. The Australian is set to face Fabio Wardley for the interim WBA heavyweight championship in June. Huni had been first with the WBO with Itauma second, but the absence of the former has seen the latter jump to number one. News of Itauma's new rating was announced by WBO president Gustavo Olivieri prior to the release of the full ranking lists. Taking to Twitter, Olivieri wrote: 'Moses Itauma has climbed the WBO rankings with talent, discipline, and electrifying performances. Now the #1 world-rated heavyweight contender, his moment is approaching. It's only a matter of time before he gets his shot and the world sees a new star emerge.' Olivieri reiterated that Joseph Parker remains the WBO's mandatory challenger for reigning champion Oleksandr Usyk, despite Itauma's new-found number one status. He continued: 'For the record: While Moses Itauma holds the WBO's #1 world ranking in the heavyweight division, this alone does not confer mandatory status. That designation requires defeating top-rated contender(s). Joe Parker remains the official mandatory and retains priority, per WBO rules.' Now clearly in title contention, Itauma's promoter Frank Warren is already eyeing up his next opponents. Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime. See Schedule ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Prior to his defeat of Balogun, Itauma had been linked to a fight with Martin Bakole, but both fighter and promoter have since distanced themselves from the former 'boogeyman' of the division. Instead, Warren has suggested that his client could face Swede Otto Wallin or American Jermaine Franklin, 23-2 (15), with both heavyweights representing a step-up for Itauma. Wallin, 34-3 (15), is well known on British shores, having fought – and lost – against Tyson Fury, Derek Chisora, and Anthony Joshua. Speaking to BoxNation, Warren shared: 'I think Otto Wallin would be a great fight for him next. Otto's proven himself to be a very durable, tough opponent, who garners respect from the boxing community because of the work he's done against Tyson [Fury] and Anthony [Joshua]. 'For Moses – who wants to get rounds in – that's probably a great shout. Jermaine Franklin's another one that I particularly like the look of.'
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
One of the biggest names in world boxing compares Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen to women over one detail in their upcoming footy fight night
Joseph Parker has called on Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen to settle their long-standing feud in the ring over three-minute rounds. It came after Jai Opetaia last week called the former rugby league stars 'soft' for agreeing to clash over two-minute rounds. Gallen and Williams have been tiptoeing around eachother for some time over a deal to square-off in the ring. But last month, they finally put pen to paper on a contract that will see both former NRL players finally square off in the ring, with both set to bank $1million from the fight. Despite excitement now beginning to build over the clash, Opetaia, the Ring and IBF Cruiserweight title holder, called on the pair to make a change to the fight's scheduling. 'It's not an attack, I'm taking the piss – but two-minute rounds is soft, bro,' Opetaia told News Corp. 'You want to put on a big-time main event, well, boxing is three-minute rounds.' Gallen, a former New South Wales captain, agreed with Opetaia's comments. 'He's right,' the ex-rugby league star said, before adding: 'Sonny, you're happy to tell everybody you're a better athlete than me, that you're a better boxer and you're gonna give me a hiding. 'Well, mate, let's do it properly. Boxing is fought over three-minute rounds.' But a week on, New Zealand-born fighter Parker has now also weighed in on the matter, agreeing with Opetaia. 'I saw Jai made a few comments about the two-minute rounds,' Parker told CODE Sports via CasinoHawks. 'But isn't female boxing two-minute rounds?' In men's professional boxing, fights are generally held over three-minute rounds. In women's professional boxing, rounds are typically held over two minutes. 'Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams have done great in their own careers and now they've switched over to boxing, and they've both done quite well,' Parker added. 'But like Jai said, eight three-minute rounds would be great for them to do if they can do it. 'That's more on the professional, male boxing side of things.' Williams comes into this fight on the back of a defeat by Mark Hunt back in November 2022. Gallen, meanwhile, is unbeaten in his last three bouts - two of which came against Justin Hodges. Despite that, he remains his opponent's elder by four years. Williams also has a longer reach than the former Cronulla enforcer, and Parker believes the All Blacks great has the edge on his opponent. 'I would have to say Sonny with his height and reach, but Gallen is a little feisty powerhouse himself,' he said. 'He stopped Lucas Browne and nearly went the distance with Justis Huni – he was stopped in the last round. 'He's done really well. But if Sonny puts in the focus, he should take care of business.' Gallen, meanwhile, has also called for Williams to show some respect to their fight. 'It's a main event on a big card. Put some respect into our fight and let's do it over three-minute rounds,' he added. 'I'm happy to change the contract, mate. I'm happy to go to eight threes. 'Let's get it done. Be a man.' It came after Williams had alleged Gallen of acting 'suspiciously' over the terms of their much anticipated meeting. Parker, who retained his WBO interim heavyweight title against Martin Bakole in February, also hinted that he and Opetaia could one day square off in the ring. 'I'm still here, so I'll make it a bit tough!' Parker laughed. 'Jai's young, he's 29, I'm 33. 'I've got a few years left. He's still got time to dominate at cruiserweight, and by the time he comes up to heavyweight, I might be done. 'But in boxing, you never know what's around the corner. You never say never.'
News.com.au
07-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Former heavyweight world champion weighs in on Gallen-SBW two-minute round fiasco
Former heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker has joined cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia in calling for the heavyweight boxing match between and Sonny Bill Williams to be fought over three-minute rounds. Parker also says Opetaia can become a two-weight world champion, and even hinted they could fight at heavyweight one day. IBF cruiserweight world champion Opetaia's only criticism of the long-awaited heavyweight grudge match between Gallen and Williams was the length of the rounds. Gallen wants the standard three-minutes, but Williams' camp reportedly only wants two-minute rounds. Both men have fought the majority of their careers over three-minute rounds, although Gallen's collection of NRL fights against Justin Hodges, Ben Hannant and Darcy Lussick all had shorter frames. As first reported by this masthead, negotiations for the fight nearly fell over due to the disagreement over the length of rounds. Two minutes is standard for women's boxing, including world title fights, but the abbreviated round length is likely to favour the more explosive Williams. Opetaia joked to this masthead that two-minute rounds is 'soft', forcing Gallen to respond. 'He's right,' the former Sharks and New South Wales captain said, before once more calling on Williams to increase the length of the rounds. A week later, Parker has also had his say. The one-time WBO heavyweight kingpin – who could fight for the undisputed world title later this year – read Opetaia's critique, and agrees. 'I saw Jai made a few comments about the two-minute rounds,' Parker told CODE Sports. 'But isn't female boxing two-minute rounds? 'Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams have done great in their own careers and now they've switched over to boxing, and they've both done quite well. 'But like Jai said, eight three minute rounds would be great for them to do if they can do it. 'That's more on the professional, male boxing side of things.' Parker gave the edge to Williams. 'I would have to say Sonny with his height and reach, but Gallen is a little feisty powerhouse himself,' he said. 'He stopped Lucas Browne and nearly went the distance with Justis Huni – he was stopped in the last round. 'He's done really well. 'But if Sonny puts in the focus, he should take care of business.' Opetaia defends his IBF world title on the Gold Coast on June 8 against Italian Claudio Squeo, and has his sights set on unifying the division before making a move to heavyweight. And Parker has high hopes for his fellow Samoan, saying he can become champion at heavyweight in the future. 'He's a man on a mission,' Parker said of Opetaia. 'He has a big future, and if he can unify the cruiserweight division, why not try and make it at heavyweight, like what Usyk has done? 'He's got the ability. He's come through hard times, just like myself, and seeing him become a world champion and looking to unify, it's a great thing for Australian and Samoan boxing. 'Usyk has shown it is possible, and with Jai, if he really puts his mind to it, I don't see why he can't. 'He's got a great work ethic, he doesn't cut any corners.' Parker was loosely linked to a match-up with Justis Huni, who will now fight Fabio Wardley for the interim WBA world title instead, but hinted at a showdown with Opetaia in the future. 'I'm still here, so I'll make it a bit tough!' Parker laughed. 'Jai's young, he's 29, I'm 33. 'I've got a few years left. He's still got time to dominate at cruiserweight, and by the time he comes up to heavyweight, I might be done. 'But in boxing, you never know what's around the corner. You never say never.' Parker's immediate concerns are on the outcome of July's undisputed heavyweight world title clash between Usyk and Dubois. Parker was due to face Dubois for the IBF world title in February before the Englishman pulled out with a mystery illness. Now the interim WBO champion, Parker should be first in line to face either Usyk or Dubois later in the year. 'I think my time will come,' he said. 'At the moment, I'm just staying ready and keeping busy. 'I wish it was me fighting for it though. I just need to stay in shape and stay prepared. 'Until I see something in writing or something solid, it's just words. If it can happen, it'll be awesome. 'I'd love to attend the fight and try to initiate a conversation so I could fight the winner.'
