Parker v Winters: Kiwi Joseph Parker holds huge weight advantage for bout against Shawndell Winters

Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker will take a massive weight advantage into his fight against American Shawndell Winters on Sunday (NZ time). 

On Saturday, Parker tipped the scales at 111.13kg, while Winters weighed 94.35kg - nearly 17kg lighter than the former WBO heavyweight champion.

Promoter Eddie Hearn thinks, if Parker can put on a clinic against Winters, his name will be in the mix to fight some of the biggest names in the heavyweight division.

"He's in a great position," Hearn said. "He just needs the momentum back.

"It just takes one knockout for people to say he's a threat to the division again, because at the moment, he's just stepped off the radar a little bit, because of the inactivity."

"I think it's a good fight for him against somebody who's going to try. We know in the heavyweight division and where he's placed in the WBO, and if it becomes available, then it will be Parker against [Oleksandr] Usyk for the world title."

Parker v Winters: Kiwi Joseph Parker holds huge weight advantage for bout against Shawndell Winters

The two heavyweights will square off at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, the second of Parker's three-fight deal with Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.

Even though Winters is down on size, he is still confident of an upset. 

"This fight is relative to life for me," said Winters. "I've fought tougher opponents, just in everyday life.

"I came up on the backside of the desert, if you will. No-one gave me anything - that's why I'm appreciative of this opportunity.

"He's a good fighter, he's pretty durable, he's been tested, he's fought at the world-class level for a bit, so that says a lot about him.

"In this sport, if history has taught us anything, it's that anybody can be hit, anybody can be hurt and anybody can be beat.

"I've got two losses. As good as I think I am, I have two losses, so anyone can be beat."

Parker weighed 109.5kg in his last fight against Australian Alex Leapai in June 2019. 

Join us on Sunday for live updates of the Joseph Parker v Shawndell Winters heavyweight contest