Joseph Parker: 'You put me into the ring with Joshua and I'll back myself any day'

Joseph Parker with the WBO heavyweight belt (Photosport image)
Joseph Parker with the WBO heavyweight belt (Photosport image)

Hughie Fury is shaping up as Joseph Parker's next opponent after Parker clinched the WBO heavyweight title against Andy Ruiz in Auckland on Saturday.

Fury, who is the cousin of former WBO belt holder Tyson Fury, emerged as the next clear opponent after big names Anthony Joshua, Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye all took up other opponents.

"David Haye was mandated to fight the winner of this fight so in theory Parker should be fighting him," Duco Events Dean Lonergan said on Sunday.

"But he's taken Tony Bellew in March which makes him unavailable so in theory we have to go down to the next contender which is Fury."

Brit Joshua, who on Sunday (NZ time) destroyed Mexican Eric Molina inside three rounds has always been in Parker's crosshairs. 

But Lonergan said that he has his own plans so the Parker camp has to determine theirs.

"Joshua just announced today that he's fighting April 29 last Wembley against Klitschko.

"That's the biggest fight in the heavyweight world right now and there's no way to usurp that so the best thing to do is to make our own path, make our own way, get a fight that’s good for Joseph Parker. 

"One that gives him a great test. And if it’s the mandatory against Fury then so be it."

Despite not shirking a 2017 bout against Joshua, Parker said it would ultimately be when the Londoner decided it to happen.

"You put me into the ring with Joshua and I'll back myself any day and I'll fight him any time he wants."

Newshub.