By Edward Chaykovsky
Heavyweight prospect Joseph Parker is anticipating a future collision with fellow unbeaten Anthony Joshua - if both of the young heavyweights continue to win their fights.
Parker, who is 17-0 with 15KOs, is quickly rising up the rankings and could be line for a world title within a year. Joshua, an Olympic gold medal winner with a 15-0, 15KOs record, is also on the verge of being in position for a mandatory shot.
Both fighters are extremely popular in their countries, with Parker selling out arenas in New Zealand and Joshua drawing sellout crowds in the UK.
Parker returns on January 23rd against Jason Bergman.
"I believe that Anthony Joshua is a great fighter and he's doing very well on that side of the world," Parker told Sky Sports News. "I've been following his progress and what he's been doing. It makes me a little jealous, knowing that there are a lot of heavyweights in the UK and there is a lot of great fights for everyone there.
"In New Zealand and Australia, we don't really have the other heavyweights to contend against. I believe if we keep doing well and we keep winning, probably in the future we can meet up somewhere. I definitely have a lot of respect for him and his team. We are taking the same paths in what we're doing in our careers."
Parker tuned in last month, when Joshua shook off an early scare to come back firing in the later rounds with a knockout victory over heated rival Dillian Whyte. If he gets the opportunity to face Joshua in the ring, Parker expects an all-out explosion.
"It will definitely be explosive and you have to feel that if I fight with Joshua, we'll definitely put in the work, train hard and it's a big fight for both of us, but I believe it's a fight that can happen in the future. We've both got good records and good knockout power. It will be an exciting fight for the future. If you have two big heavyweights in a ring and one lands a big punch, then it can change anything. It depends who is more ready on the night,' Parker said.
