Joseph Parker earned his monstrous title showdown with Anthony Joshua in moderately controversial circumstances, nonetheless.
Returning to the ring this weekend, Latest Zealand favorite, Joseph Parker will look to finally book an overdue title showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
Long linked with a clash against the Ukrainian, Parker must first get past the undefeated Fabio Wardley within the pair’s WBO decider.
Nonetheless, training alongside Tyson Fury and his team lately, Parker received the wrath of the fighting family following a controversial win years ago.
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Joseph Parker’s controversial win over Hughie Fury
Spoiling the party on a primary Joshua vs. Fury showdown, back in 2017, Parker took on Tyson’s cousin Hughie Fury in one other defense of the WBO heavyweight crown.
Each boasting undefeated records on the time, Parker was riding a 23-fight unbeaten run, while Fury had not been beaten in his 20-fight skilled profession.
And with a mega showdown against Anthony Joshua on the road, Parker prevailed against Fury in a hugely controversial result.
Nabbing a majority decision (118-110, 118-110, 114-114) victory, Parker was ripped by Fury and his team post-fight, who claimed the bout was a showcase of “corruption” at the best level of the game.
“That is corruption at its highest level in boxing,” Fury’s promoter, Mick Hennessy, said after the fight. “I assumed it was an absolute masterclass, shades of Ali. Parker wasn’t even within the fight. Considered one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen.”
Joseph Parker issues latest warning to Fabio Wardley
Just days out from his pivotal showdown with Ipswich knockout star Wardley, Parker believes experience firmly lies on his side of the equation.
Sharing the ring with the likes of Joshua, in addition to former world champions Deontay Wilder and Mexican star Andy Ruiz Jr., Parker believes his level within the ring far outweighs that of Wardley.
“I do feel that I’m levels above Fabio (Wardley) and that’s what I would like to indicate on Saturday night,” Parker told Sky Sports.
“I’ve fought everyone there may be, and I would like to go on the market and show the extent that I’m at in comparison with where he’s at,” Parker explained.