Joseph Parker, the 32-year-old heavyweight boxer, arrived in Ireland for a training camp with mentor Andy Lee, expecting to continue his success in Riyadh after two impressive victories in the desert city.
However, his immediate future is now uncertain after being left off the undercard of the highly anticipated Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk clash in Saudi Arabia on 21 December.
This unexpected roadblock is a major blow to Parker and his team, who were hoping to build on the momentum from his recent triumphs.
Parker’s career gained steam when he dominated former WBC champion Deontay Wilder last December, followed by a hard-fought victory over Zhilei Zhang in March, despite being knocked down twice during the fight. That win was his last appearance in the ring, and with the latest fight cancellation, Parker finds himself missing out on opportunities in the rapidly changing heavyweight division.
This uncertainty deepened after Parker was left off the undercard of the highly anticipated Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk clash in Saudi Arabia on 21 December, dealing a significant blow to his comeback aspirations.
The heavyweight scene has seen some major shifts recently, with Oleksandr Usyk holding the WBO, WBC, and IBO titles, and Daniel Dubois claiming the IBF belt after knocking out Anthony Joshua in a stunning upset. Parker, known for performing best when active, now faces the prospect of having only one fight this year.
Parker’s manager, David Higgins, confirmed to 1News that the December fight was off, but offered no further comments. It’s understood that Parker and his team are exploring other options, including a possible fight in February, though that would require more travel and delay.
This cancellation sheds light on the unpredictable nature of modern-day boxing, where major decisions are influenced by figures like Turki Al-Sheikh, a key advisor to the Royal Court of Saudi Arabia. His financial power has reshaped the sport, but also means that top fighters often find themselves at the mercy of his whims.
Parker had been preparing for a rematch against Zhang but expressed doubts earlier this year about whether the Saudis wanted it to happen. “My gut says different fight,” he told 1News in March. Despite the disappointment, Parker received praise from former rival Anthony Joshua, who acknowledged Parker’s resilience and strength, calling him a heavyweight who will go down in history.
Since his victory over Zhang, Parker has focused on bulking up to compete with the biggest fighters in the division, including Zhang, Dubois, and Joshua. Parker has been consuming up to 7,000 calories a day to add muscle weight, aiming to close the gap between his 113 kg frame and Zhang’s 130 kg, without sacrificing speed and stamina.
After winning the WBO world title in 2016, Parker’s career hit a lull until he teamed up with coach Andy Lee and strength and conditioning expert George Lockhart. Together, they helped Parker secure wins over Wilder and Zhang. But for now, the wait for his next fight continues.
While Parker has taken on the role of fight promoter, recently partnering with cruiserweight David Nyika, his true passion lies in getting back into the ring himself.
