"Joe deserves and needs a title fight right now," believes Andy Lee, trainer of Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KOs). The New Zealander, a former WBO heavyweight champion from 2016-2018, has defeated Deontay Wilder, Zhang Zhilei and Martin Bakole in his last three fights. Though it's also worth noting that Bakole was only a last-minute replacement for Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs), the reigning IBF World Heavyweight Champion, who fell ill just before the fight.
The WBC, WBA and WBO belts in this weight class are currently held by Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs).
"Joe trained hard for eight weeks, sparred a lot and then spent the last three weeks in Saudi Arabia. He improved his fitness and was as ready as he could be. And instead of Dubois, Bacole, who had to travel halfway around the world, came to him. I believe I am in the corner of the best heavyweight boxer in the world right now. Just give him a chance to prove it. It could be Dubois, but it might as well be a fight with Usyk. Look at Joseph's record, his recent accomplishments and give him a championship fight finally. He really needs it," said the Irishman, a former middleweight champion of the world.
"Joe can easily beat Usyk. He is younger and fresher, in my opinion, he is also faster, and he has the physical strength. We need one thing - a chance and a championship fight," Lee added.
