Boxing: Joseph Parker vows he'd be 'more aggressive' in Anthony Joshua rematch

Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker says he'd take a much more aggressive approach should he get another chance to share a ring with world champion Anthony Joshua.

The pair fought in Cardiff in May 2018, where the Brit took a relatively comfortable unanimous decision win to claim Parker's WBO title.

But Parker confessed some regret over his tactics against Joshua, and promised he'd "throw more punches" if they met again.

"My goal and my plan was to counter him but unfortunately that didn't work," Parker told Sky Sports UK. "He was the better man on the day.

"People say he's not good at boxing but he is a good boxer and a good fighter. Respect to him.

"If the opportunity came I would grab it with both hands. There are a lot of things I would change. I would have more confidence going into the fight because I know how he fights.

"I would throw more punches, be more aggressive and take it to him."

But a rematch is unlikely anytime soon, with the two fighters currently travelling different paths.

The South Aucklander is currently riding a three-fight win streak, as he looks to work his way up the rankings and back into title contention.

Meanwhile, Joshua is preparing to face Kubrat Pulev in London at a rescheduled date yet to be confirmed, with a long-term view to a title unification bout against compatriot Tyson Fury.

Parker was impressed with the way Joshua bounced back from his stunning upset loss to Andy Ruiz Jr to outclass the Mexican in their December rematch to reclaim the IBF, WBA and WBO titles.

"For someone to turn it around and get the victory against Ruiz Jr? It showed he is a great athlete, a great fighter, a great champion." 

"He did what he needed to do - he boxed and moved, didn't get caught, and deserved to win."

That said, Parker firmly believes that Fury is the planet's undisputed number one heavyweight.

'The Gypsy King' outboxed American Deontay Wilder in their rematch in February, after their first bout ended in a draw. 

The pair are set to meet for a third time, and Parker expects to see a similar outcome.

"He is the biggest in the division. He is No 1. He is the best in our era."

"It will be the same result, a Fury win. In the second fight he demolished him. In the third fight he would be in even better shape and would be the same result.

"We took a photo with the belts. Hopefully one day I can hold them again."