Boxing: Dethroned Kiwi Joseph Parker looks on, as Joshua faces Povetkin

Joshua Parker
Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker. Photo credit: Photosport

Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker will be a frustrated spectator, when Briton Anthony Joshua returns to the ring on Sunday (NZ time) against Russian Alexander Povetkin.

But that's a good sign, as Parker mulls his future in the division, after suffering consecutive defeats.

This will be Joshua's first outing since clearly dispatching Parker in a unanimous-points decision in April, adding the WBO title to his IBF and WBA crowns.

Immediately afterwards, there was speculation of a rematch between Parker and Joshua, but that has dissipated with the New Zealander's subsequent loss to Dillian Whyte in July.

Instead, he will watch from the side-lines, as his rival takes on the mandatory WBA challenger Povetkin.

"Yes, of course I will watch," Parker told Sky Sports UK. "I will be observing their styles closely.

"I expect Joshua to win, but anything can happen in boxing.

"It is frustrating. I would have loved a rematch with Joshua at Wembley and I believe I am still in the frame, being the only pro to take him the distance."

Parker finished strongly in his loss to Whyte, pounding his British opponent right up until the final bell, but is now contemplating his future, after sliding down the heavyweight rankings.

His ongoing interest in the Joshua fight is confirmation that he will continue to seek another world title shot.  

"Another 30 seconds and I would have beaten Dillian Whyte, and would be fighting Joshua at Wembley," Parker told Sky Sports. "But that's boxing and I must earn my way back.

"I will fight someone before the end of the year.

"As for Whyte, everyone wants to see a rematch and we should have got it on straight away. We will fight Whyte again as soon as he is willing."

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