Boxing: Joseph Parker urges Wilder v Fury winner to challenge Anthony Joshua

Kiwi Joseph Parker is willing to forgo his own immediate goals for boxing to have a unified champion.

The former WBO king is in the cusp of another title run, currently ranked second on the organisation's challenger ranks.

Parker sits behind only highly touted Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and given the fragile nature of the heavyweight division, he could fight for a vacant title in 2020.

The WBO may forcibly strip Anthony Joshua of his belt, with the Brit expected to fight IBF mandatory contender Kubrat Pulev in June. 

But Parker hopes common sense prevails in a division desperately crying out for clarity. 

WBC champion Deontay Wilder defends against Tyson Fury on Sunday and Parker has urged the winner to challenge Joshua for the mantle of undisputed heavyweight king. 

"We have been talking about this unified champion for such a long time, and I think it's important to give the fans what they want to see and find out who the best is," Parker told Matchroom Boxing.

"It would be cool to see a unified champion, but there are a lot of people involved to try and make this mega-fight happen."

Joseph Parker
Joseph Parker Photo credit: Photosport

The 28-year-old, who returns to the ring for the first time in nine months against Shawndell Winters on March 1 (NZT), is backing Fury to have his hand raised in Las Vegas.

Fury and Wilder fought out a thrilling, but controversial draw in 2018 to set up Sunday's rematch.

Parker believes awkward, technical style of 'The Gypsy King' will prevail over the power-punching American champion. 

"The first fight was so exciting and controversial," Parker said. "A lot of people thought Fury won the fight on points, but then a lot of people thought Wilder won because of the knockdowns.

"The rematch is going to be very interesting. Whoever executes their plan first or better will win that fight.

"I side with Fury. I love how he conducts himself in the ring, his boxing ability, his movement, his jab and combinations.

"I hope it's a great fight."

Should Parker dispose of Winters as expected, a 2020 showdown with Usyk is likely, whether it's for the WBO title or a mandatory contender's spot.

Join us for live updates of Wilder v Fury II from 3pm Sunday.