Boxing News: Joseph Parker acknowledges that in order to make his claim for a rematch with heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte, he needs to easily defeat Jack Massey.
Five years ago, Parker suffered just his second professional defeat at the hands of the Brit, though Whyte was defeated by the New Zealander in the final round of the fight.
After being stopped by another Brit, Joe Joyce, in the 11th round of their punishing fight last September, the former WBO champion is making a comeback.
The 31-year-old is hopeful that a statement victory over Massey on the Eubank Jr. vs. Smith card will convince Whyte to agree to the rematch.
At the media workout, he said to Sky Sports: “My dream match would be to fight for a world title, but I want to face Dillian Whyte once again. He won the first fight, which was terrific for him, and I’d like to get revenge.”
Parker has no problem taking on some of the other top fighters in the heavyweight category if he is unable to secure the desired rematch, saying: “You’ve always got an eye on other competitors.
“Get through Jack Massey, Michael Hunter is addressing me. I’ll fight Joyce again if no one else wants to, but I have a business to attend to first.”
Massey, Parker’s opponent, formerly competed at cruiserweight but only lately switched to heavyweight.
His sole loss came at the hands of Richard Riakporhe, who is also competing on Saturday’s undercard against former two-time world champion Krzysztof Glowacki. He has won 20 of his first 21 fights.
Parker is refusing to underestimate the Englishman in what he admits is a bout that has to be won despite not knowing exactly what to expect from him.
“I’m treating it like every other battle as if it were the world title. You’ll be in the best shape if you approach a bout that way and treat every battle seriously, which is what I’ve done in this camp.
“What he will weigh when he arrives is rather uncertain. He has my respect because a warrior who is going to win is self-assured.
“I’m not suggesting he’s one of the many successful cruiserweights, but there’s potential for him to succeed in the heavyweight level.
“Every time you fight, you want to look good and make a statement, but when you look for it, it rarely materialises. I simply want to go out there and do what I’ve been doing at camp while having fun.”
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