We caught up with Joseph Parker for an in depth chat on where he's at in his career, life after boxing and his pathway to the top
Boxer Joseph Parker didn't attend the birth of his first two daughters because of training camps and that could be set to continue for Miss Parker number three, who is due in May.
In an interview with the Herald, the New Zealand heavyweight confirmed that his partner Laine is about to give birth to their third child, a sister for Elizabeth, nearly 2 ½, and Shiloh, eight months.
It means Parker's already busy home in South Auckland is about to get bigger and busier, with three girls aged under three in the former world champion's corner.
Had Parker's proposed fight against Englishman Dereck Chisora gone ahead in London on April 20, the 27-year-old would have been home in time to be with his family for the delivery, but now his plans are in a state of flux.
Parker pulled out of the Chisora fight because no contract arrived from the United Kingdom in time for his minimum nine-week camp and so now he and his team are looking for a new opponent, the most significant possibility being the not inconsiderable figure of Tyson Fury.
"[Laine] will be giving birth in May," Parker told the Herald. "She's a great mum. I have two girls and another on the way and I'm praying that the baby is born healthy and strong.
"Everything is good - the family is good. I'm spending a lot of time with the kids – I'm teaching my daughter Elizabeth some shadow boxing. She's doing some push-ups at home.
"She copies everything I do. I practise shadow boxing in the mirror, 'one-two, one-two', and she does the same."
Joseph Parker and his daughter Elizabeth Ah-Sue Sala Parker. Photo / Getty
Asked about the possibility that he will once again be in Las Vegas training rather than in Auckland for the birth, Parker said: "It depends on the fight and when camp will be… [but] I'd love to be here."
Parker is usually based in Las Vegas with trainer Kevin Barry but has had an extended time in New Zealand with his family following his last fight in Christchurch in December.
A win over Alexander Flores snapped a two-fight losing streak and as he seeks to climb back to the top he confirmed he wouldn't return to the United States until his next opponent is signed off, adding his next fight would probably be overseas.
Parker also opened up on his excitement about the possibility of facing Fury following the news the Englishman's re-match with WBC world champion Deontay Wilder has been postponed, and his reasons for pulling out of the fight with Chisora.
Fury, the former undisputed champion stripped of his titles in 2016 before launching his incredible comeback culminating in his dramatic draw with Wilder in Los Angeles late last year, has signed new broadcasting and co-promotional deals which have effectively made an agreement with American Wilder harder to achieve.
The fight has been put off – which has the potential to increase its earning potential – and in the meantime both men are looking for opponents. Wilder could face Dominic Breazeale, who is in the same stable, and Parker, effectively a free agent, has been mentioned in the mix for Fury.
"In order to be the best you have to fight the best," Parker said. "We have a lot of respect for Fury but I want to jump into the ring with him and test myself. I'd love to do that. But it has to make sense for both sides.
"Boxing-wise it would definitely make sense because if I beat him, damn, I'll be right up there.
"There's nothing solid yet," Parker added in terms of talks. "We want people to know we're the team who will take on any challenge. We don't care, we'll fight the best in the world and we believe he is the best.
"I might be a risk for him, but then again he might look at me and think 'I'm the bigger man and have just put on this great performance against Wilder - what's Joseph going to bring to the table?'"
Joseph Parker's daughter, Shiloh, was born in July while he was in London to fight Dillian Whyte. Photo / Supplied
Parker, who regularly keeps in contact with Fury (as well as Wilder), was ringside at the Staples Centre in December when Fury twice got off the canvas to draw a fight many people thought he deserved to win.
"It's one of the best performances I've seen in boxing because of what he's been through," Parker said. "After the two tune-up fights he had, everyone said, 'no, he's got no chance'. Sitting at ringside and seeing the movement and the feints – everything he did – and then getting up from those two knockdowns, it just shows his chin his very good and he's got a massive heart."
Parker described the communication from Chisora's team as "crap", saying they consistently missed deadlines in sending a contract, adding: "As soon as we pulled the pin they got in contact again… they think they can click their fingers and get a fight but there are a lot of options out there at the moment."
His next fight will probably be in the UK or USA.
"It's awesome to fight back home but the market isn't as big as other places. The UK has nearly all the heavyweights and it's got nearly 70 million people living there.
"It's harder to put fights on in New Zealand but if [promoter David Higgins] gets the backing that he needs with sponsorship, I think we could make it happen. I'd love to fight overseas and mix and mingle with all the other heavyweights."
