Joseph Parker’s British promoter Eddie Hearn believes the Kiwi heavyweight will bring himself into the world title frame if he beats Dereck Chisora.
Parker and Chisora fight in Britain on May 2 (NZT).
The heavyweight belts look set to be undefined this year with WBC champion Tyson Fury and WBA, IBF and WBO champion Anthony Joshua on the verge of a two-fight deal to find one true champion.
Whoever emerges from that will be under immense pressure from the four major organisations, and vacating a belt or two in 2022 looks a very real possibility.
Former WBO champion Parker needs to position himself to pounce. He currently sits No 3 with the WBO and at No 6 with both the IBF and WBC, putting him in a strong position to demand consideration in any title talks.
“Joseph Parker is right up there, since his win over Junior Fa. He’s top five, top six with a couple of governing bodies now,” Hearn told Sky Sports in the UK.
“If he beats Chisora, when these belts become fragmented in probably 2022, this is a really important fight for him.”
Hearn is predicting an action-packed bout between two fighters who like to come forward.
“That’s just going to go off, from the first bell, that fight,” Hearn told Sky Sports.
He felt Parker’s style would suit Chisora, the rugged Brit whose opportunities at this top level must surely be running out.
“Both guys teaming up with a new training team. Great, great men. Andy Lee, of course, in Joe Parker’s corner, and Buddy McGirt in Chisora’s corner. It’s going to be an interesting battle.
“For ‘Del Boy’ (Chisora), of course it’s last roll of the dice, in a big, big heavyweight fight,” Hearn added.
