By Elliot Foster
Joseph Parker is keen to fight in the UK –– and when he does it could well be against a world cruiserweight champion.
The WBO heavyweight king, who makes his first defence against number two contender and mandatory challenger Hughie Fury on May 6 in Auckland, New Zealand, has put his name in the hat to be the next opponent for Tony Bellew.
Bellew, the WBC champion in the 200-pound division, retired David Haye in a heavyweight grudge match last Saturday at the O2 Arena in London, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office.
And Parker, 25, wants to fight the Evertonian, 34, should all go well against former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s younger cousin.
“[If] all goes well [on] May 6,” Parker wrote in a tweet to Bellew on Sunday, “I’ll fight you next, at the O2 [Arena], no problem.”
Eddie Hearn, Bellew’s promoter, of Matchroom Sport, has revealed that he has been in contact with Parker’s team about a potential showdown with Bellew, who now sees himself as “the most valuable heavyweight in the world, outside of the champions.”
But Hearn also dropped a hint that WBC titlist Deontay Wilder could be next for ‘Bomber’ and said that he “has got no end of options” after David Haye’s corner threw in the towel in round 11 of their fight with the former undisputed cruiserweight ruler suffering from an Achilles injury on which he has since had surgery.
Further details on Bellew’s next move will be revealed in due course.
