By Steve Kim
Bob Arum, who's company Top Rank co-promotes WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KOs) likes his chances as he goes up against IBF, IBO, WBA belt-holder Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) from the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales later today.
The high stakes unification will be televised back to the States on Showtime (5 pm, ET/2 pm, PT).
Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, who promotes Joshua, expects close to 80,000 fans at the venue.
Arum's relationship with Parker began in December 2016, when the New Zealand star won a close twelve round decision over an undefeated Andy Ruiz to capture the vacant WBO world title.
Joshua is a very big betting favorite to win the fight, but there are many who view Parker as a very live underdog.
"With heavyweights nothing is ever certain," said the veteran promoter, who made the overseas trek for this match-up, told BoxingScene.com.
"One thing I know going in is that I've got a guy you could hit over the head with a baseball bat and nothing happens. It's like one of these Samoans that you can't knock out. So then the question is can he out-box Joshua?
"And I think he can, I don't think he's going to knock out Joshua - even though Joshua doesn't have the best chin. But I think he can out-box him and we've got three neutral officials. I give my guy a helluva shot."
Arum, who made a deal with Duco Events to get involved with Parker, has big plans for the undefeated champion should he pull off the upset and unify the heavyweight titles.
"I think he wants to fight in the United States and there are a lot of heavyweights in the United States around he could fight and we'd look to make some big fights for him," said Arum.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
