Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is hoping for a better year in 2023.

Back in September, Parker suffered the first knockout loss of his career when he was dropped and stopped by unbeaten banger, Olympic silver medal winner Joe Joyce. The loss snapped a six fight win streak for the New Zealand fighter.

The loss also dropped Parker's record to 30-3, with 21 wins by knockout.

Parker is scheduled to return to the ring on January 21 in Manchester, when he faces big underdog Jack Massey in a crossroads fight. Their contest will be featured as part of the Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Liam Smith undercard on Sky Sports Box Office.

Provided he comes away with a win, Parker would like to avenge some of his past defeats.

In 2018, he lost a twelve round decision to Anthony Joshua in a unification clash.

In the early months of 2023, Joshua will look to bounce back after suffering two decision losses to Oleksandr Usyk.

 Parker's handlers reached out to see if Joshua was interested in a rematch, but they never heard back.

"It would be nice to get a rematch with Joshua, a rematch with Dillian Whyte and probably in the future, a rematch with Joe Joyce," Parker told Seconds Out.

"I like to fight those guys that I lost to. Before I flew here and before I locked in this fight, my manager put in a message to Joshua's team and asked if they wanted to have a rematch.

"We had no reply but we're still trying to chase those fights, those rematches and it would be awesome if we can. It's just up to each fighter and their team."