Joseph Parker Would Love To Make Tony Bellew Eat His Words

By Edward Chaykovsky

WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (22-0, 18 KOs) feels very confident in his ability to beat WBC champion Deontay Wilder, and the newest heavyweight on the block, Tony Bellew.

Parker is training in Las Vegas for a mandatory fight with undefeated Hughie Fury. The fight is scheduled to take place at Auckland's Vector Arena on May 6.

A win over Fury will open up a lot of doors, as Parker is a big target since winning the vacant WBO title last December with a tough decision win over Andy Ruiz.

Last Saturday night, Bellew pulled of a stunning upset with an eleventh round stoppage over former heavyweight champion David Haye.

Now Bellew, who holds the WBC title at cruiserweight, wants a world title shot at heavyweight - and both Parker and Wilder are at the top of his list.

In a recent interview, Bellew called Paker "the lesser of the heavyweight champions." And even Bellew's promoter, Eddie Hearn, is confident his boxer can knock off Parker.

Parker would love to get Bellew in the ring to prove them wrong.

"That's good they think that of me because I'll give them a surprise," Parker said of Bellew and promoter Eddie Hearn, while speaking with the New Zealand Herald.

"They feel like I'm the weaker of the heavyweights and not as powerful or as fast or as strong and I'll show them what I can do when I get in the ring with him."

"It was a good fight [that Bellew had with Haye]; all action and good for the crowd. But I know if I do get in the ring with him I could do well against him."

Parker was ringside last month when Wilder retained his world title with a knockout of Gerald Washington in Alabama. Wilder wants to unify with Parker in the near future.

"It was great to be there ringside to see how he fights," Parker said. "I got a good look and I'm confident that if I do fight him I can beat him.

"There are a lot of things he does really well and there are a lot of things he does not so well. After watching him and studying him I think I can come up with a game plan with [trainer] Kevin [Barry] to approach what he brings."

"There are so many options. First things first - I have to get past Fury. I can't underestimate him. But the options after that are exciting. It's great to be a part of this division which is bringing the excitement back."