Comments Thread For: Parker's Promoter Leans To Joshua Unification Instead of Wilder

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

IBF heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua (18-0, 18 KOs) is a more likely target for a heavyweight unification bout for Joseph Parker than WBC kingpin Deontay Wilder, according to the New Zealander's promoters. Parker won the vacant WBO heavyweight title by defeating Andy Ruiz by majority decision in December and will defend that belt against mandatory challenger Hughie Fury on April 1 - although that date can quickly change depending on the finalized venue and location.
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[Edward90]

That's fine and reasonable to go the AJ route, especially since I don't think Parker will beat Wilder or AJ. However, I can already see Wilder being blamed for not unifying with Parker or AJ or some other noise. The Wilder-Parker fight should happen after their next fights. The AJ-Wlad winner either has to fight Ortiz or Pulev, so I don't see why Wilder-Parker can't happen in the summer.

[yammy25]

I can see the completely reason and logic behind this.....Money.

I can also see the bruthahood coming in to this thread stating that "Parker dont want dat work doe".

Wilder needs to get through washington, the WBC need to de-rank stiverne , have ortiz v Whyte as FE and then wilder can fight someone with a pulse befor he gets his payday.

[Pigeons]

They are all literally scared to death of Wilder. Either they're juicing or catching the first train out of town.

BBBBBOOOOOOOMMMMBBBBB SSSSQQQQUUUUAAAADDDD!!!!

[NEETzsche]

Joshua in the UK is the money fight at Heavyweight so it's only natural that it'd be #1 on anyone's list of priorities

AJ, Wilder and Parker are all flawed yet dangerous fighters so I wouldn't be surprised by any result in any fight between them

[Butch.McRae]

I don't think it matters which route he takes, he'll lose to both AJ (better boxer) and Wilder (he'll KO him). But I think building up a UK rep is smart and will result in more long term earnings.

[BoxingPugilist]

First of all, Parker should be focused on Hughie. He's a paper champion, he shouldn't look past any challenger.

Secondly, of course he wants the fight with AJ more than Wilder. AJ is a HUGE star in the UK. And the NZer vs England's Gold Medalist to unify the WBA, IBF and WBO Heavyweight Titles in the O2 Arena, on SkySports PPV would do very very impressive numbers. Certainly represents the biggest possible pay day of his career. Facing Wilder to unify the WBC and WBO titles, probably in a pretty full but not sold out Legacy Arena in Alabama, aired on premium cable, but no chance of PPV revenue...looks a lot less impressive. The only way Parker makes more money than facing AJ next would be if he waited until after Wilder and AJ fought, and jumped into a fight tantalizing the Wilder/AJ winner with the idea of being Undisputed champion, holding all 4 belts.

Right now the heavyweight division looks like the next big star in AJ, the old alpha lion in his final days, a wild card in Wilder, and the omnipresence of Fury maybe one day coming back to reclaim his belts...Parker is just some guy, who happens to be holding on to a belt, looking in at all the true top contenders for the heavyweight crown, and he's trying to figure out what ONE fight he could be a part of to make the most money - good to see he's not an idiot, and he figured out it would be AJ.

[Ake-Dawg]

Makes sense. If you're fearful of taking a loss in an attempt to unify, try and make the most money you can. AJ in the UK brings far more money to the table than Wilder.

[ceylon mooney]

wilder is no scarier that AJ, but a fight with AJ draws tens of
thousands of spectators and one with wilder might draw 5 thousand.

then add up folks watchin TV.

hell lose to bothc sure, but the AJ fight is so much bigger
than the wilder fight.

wilder-AJ tho might b bigger than AJ-klitschko.

[rogdogx]

Joshua is a bigger pay day in the UK, plain and simple. Wilder-Parker would be the better scrap though. Two undefeated hungry champions unifying. Haha sounds like Parker's promoter fully expects Joshua to get past Wlad. That is a huge step up and the biggest fight in heavyweight boxing. Wlad is calling it his legacy fight so you know he will bring everything he has left that night.