I’ve never faced anyone like Joshua_Joseph Parker

Joseph Parker, a 32-year-old from New Zealand, has one of the strongest records in the heavyweight division. Parker successfully defended the vacant WBO World Title twice before losing it to Anthony Joshua in a unification match after capturing it in a tough fight against Andy Ruiz Jr. His subsequent matchup against Dillian Whyte would end in another loss for him.

In a 2020 article for Ring Magazine, Parker evaluated Joshua, Whyte, and Ruiz as his three most formidable rivals. Even though he claimed Whyte was the strongest and “AJ” was the best overall at that point, he claims Mexican-American Ruiz struck him the hardest.
“Dillian Whyte did drop me, but with Ruiz, I really felt the sting in his punches. I think it was a left hook he caught me in our fight that hurt me. From that point on, in the whole fight, I was deaf in one ear.”

Although most people consider Joshua to be one of the toughest punchers in the game, Parker doesn’t need to warn him that he could suffer his first defeat by stoppage back in 2019. It looks like “AJ” would win the rematch with ease. After a lengthy hiatus, Ruiz entered the ring this year and prevailed in a disputed draw against Jarrell Miller, breaking his hand in the process.

Parker has faced out against some more formidable opponents since making those remarks. He suffered his first career stoppage loss to Joe Joyce, but he quickly warmed up to coach Andy Lee and mounted a stunning comeback that saw him defeat Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder. Parker is in as strong a position as any of the current candidates thanks to his triumphs. If Zhang avoids facing Martin Bakole, a scheduled rematch with the Chinese southpaw might be the next bout. Parker might be in with players like Jarrell Miller or Agit Kabayel if he does.