Boxing: Parker rising to top of world

Joseph Parker's next fight is on Thursday. Photo / Dean Purcell

Joseph Parker's rise to the top 10 of the WBA's rankings could be complete by the year's end.

The promising Kiwi heavyweight boxer is now billed at No11 by the WBA and No14 by the WBO and he will fight twice more before 2014 ends.

His next bout is against Sherman "The Tank" Williams in West Auckland on Thursday night.

Given boxing's highly political landscape, Parker's handlers, Duco, may face greater challenges in the coming years to book meaningful fights for him until he can ascend to "mandatory challenger" status.

Trainer Kevin Barry said the 22-year-old's latest jump in the WBA rankings reflected his growing reputation.

"It's really exciting for our promoters. It gives them a little bit more strength when they're trying to put Joseph in the ring with world-ranked fighters.

"I can see us being ranked in the top 10 by the end of the year," Barry said.

Parker had a cortisone injection yesterday to treat a minor shoulder problem but the South Aucklander was passed fit to meet Williams at the Trusts Arena. Barry said the ongoing ailment wouldn't rule him out of headlining December's Fight for Life.

No opponent has been confirmed for that but Barry said Parker would be busy in coming months. "There are fights out there for us ... exciting fights, ranked fights. But the politics are becoming more and more apparent."

But before the 10-0 Parker can worry about 2015, he will need to beat 42-year-old Williams (36-13-2). Parker's PABA and WBO Oriental heavyweight belts will be on the line against Williams.