Joseph Parker and management team not interested in Interim WBO title shot

Joseph Parker (Photosport)
Joseph Parker (Photosport)

The biggest hurdle on Joseph Parker's road to the heavyweight title could be about to be removed.

The trainer of troubled champion Tyson Fury's suggested it's time to let go of his WBA and WBO belts.

Well, sort of.

Two things need to happen for Parker to get a shot at the WBO Heavyweight title:

One, Wladimir Klitschko has to make his fight against Anthony Joshua. After lengthy negotiations, a deal's tipped to finally be concluded later this week.

And two, Tyson Fury needs to be stripped of his belt.

But after nearly a year out of action, revelations of mental illness, admitting to cocaine use and a failed drugs test, Fury's uncle and trainer has suggested his nephew needs to focus on fighting for his life rather than fighting for titles.

"Just because Tyson's ill, these belts, they shouldn't be held up, and as his team we're happy for the belts to be freed to the WBA belt provided they can put him in recess," said Peter Fury.

The WBA allows its "Champion in Recess" to get back in the ring and challenge for the belts when he's fit and ready.

The WBO has a similar rule.

That title - the one Parker's camp is chasing - lets contenders fight for an "interim" world title.

Parker's promoter, Dean Lonergan, isn't overly keen on committing his contender to an interim bout.

"That's up for discussion between the team members to be bluntly honest," said Lonergan.

For Team Parker the answer's likely to be 'no'.

They want to offer Kiwi fans the chance to watch two fighters battle to become the undisputed WBO Champion "100 percent".

"We're either fighting for the heavyweight title, or we're not.

"I don't see this interim stuff as being of a great deal of value."

It means everything rests on a meeting of WBO officials in Puerto Rico next week.

"He [Fury] has tested positive twice for cocaine and said he's used it, so I guess that's evidence enough to strip him."

If not, Parker faces another hold up on his long, winding road to the title.

Newshub.