Anthony Joshua is building a big following in his homeland and remains on target for a world title challenge in the next few years. Photo / AP
Anthony Joshua is building a big following in his homeland and remains on target for a world title challenge in the next few years. Photo / AP
Joseph Parker is considered one of the world's most promising young heavyweights but there is another - Anthony Joshua - who is making waves in England and beyond and both are destined to collide within the next two years.
Parker, 23, is slightly younger than the 25-year-old Joshua but they have similar records as professionals, with the Englishman, a gold-medal winner at the 2012 London Olympics, having a more impressive amateur career after he took up the sport at the relatively late age of 18.
Like Parker, Joshua is building a big following in his homeland and remains on target for a world title challenge in the next few years.
Parker's trainer Kevin Barry said before last night's fight against German Yakup Saglam in Palmerston North that he was comfortable with the talk linking the pair and denied pressure was building on the New Zealander to match or better Joshua's performances.
"Both guys turned pro at the same time," Barry said. "Both guys are 13-0. Both guys have huge followings in their own country.
"There are similarities - there are people watching both closely - and you only have to look at the [internet boxing] forums. People are making comparisons on a daily basis.
"Just the other day after Joshua's latest fight, I saw people talking about his next opponents and included on the list was Joseph.
"It's a fight we're not going to see for a while, obviously, but if both guys stay on the same path and both stay undefeated for the next two years, it would be a massive fight.
"[Waiting] is the right way to set up a fight like this. The exciting thing for our team is that people are making those comparisons now. It's building the fight up for us."
Joshua's latest victory was a second-round demolition of American Kevin Johnson in London in May. None of his fights have gone beyond the third round.
The tall and muscular Joshua relies more on his power than Parker, who is generally regarded as having greater hand speed and an uncanny ability to throw combinations.
But while Joshua has won all his fights by knockout, many of them spectacular finishes, Parker has probably fought tougher and more experienced opponents.
"If there's any pressure, it's on Anthony Joshua," Barry said. "If you look at the names on Joseph's resume and you look at his, our resume is more experienced by far compared to the people he has fought. He is trying to play catch-up, rather than the other way around."
Parker said he was aware of the comparisons being made and welcomed them.
"I've seen a few things on social media," he said. "It's good to be compared to someone like Anthony Joshua, who is doing well.
"He's similar to me. He has a lot of potential, is an up-and-coming fighter. We both have the same goals of trying to get better.
"I'd definitely back myself [if a fight between the pair went ahead]. But we have to both stay on our paths. If we got in the ring together it could be something special, but we have to keep doing our own things at the moment."
Joseph Parker said he was aware of the comparisons being made and welcomed them. Photo / Getty Images
