Last week Sky Sports reported that former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (26-2) would return to the ring in the month of February against an opponent to be determined.

Parker's trainer Kevin Barry has confirmed to BoxingScene.com that the New Zealander will return on February 29th in Frisco, Texas. The DAZN streamed card will be headlined by the welterweight clash pitting former 4-division champion Mikey Garcia against former 2-division titlist Jessie Vargas. The card will feature WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez defending his title against Jay Harris.

The 28-year-old Kiwi had a frustrating 2019.  He stopped Alex Leapai in April but that was his only fight of the year.  A fall fight against Dereck Chisora was scrapped when Parker suffered a spider bite and was unable to train for multiple weeks.

His trainer expects him to have a much busier 2020 campaign.

"Joseph must fight at least 3 times in 2020.  We are starting off the year early in February so he should be to fight at least 3 times," Barry told BoxingScene.com.

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