A future scrap between Kiwi boxers Joseph Parker and Junior Fa is inevitable, according to the trainer of WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
American Jay Deas has been the man behind Wilder's 40-0 record that has seen the 33-year-old ascend to the top of the sport.
Deas has long been a fan of Parker's work, and has seen Fa up close and personal in recent weeks, with the Kiwi based in Tuscaloosa for Wilder's training camp.
'The Bronze Bomber' is preparing for the enormous challenge of disposing former lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in Los Angeles next month.
Fa was brought in because of his size, strength and athleticism – attributes that Deas believes would serve the 29-year-old well if the dream clash with Parker materialises.
"I hope that fight can be made at some point, because that would be fantastic," Deas told Newshub. "In fact, I'd love to travel over and see that fight.
"Junior and Joseph were what you could call 'amateur rivals', so that would be an enormous fight down the road for the fans in NZ."
That 'super fight' has some way to go before becoming a reality, with Parker focused on getting back into the mix of the heavyweight elite and Fa on the verge of cracking a top-10 opponent.
Parker fights American Alexander Flores on December 15, with Fa taking on Argentinian Rogelio Omar Rossi on the undercard.
Wins for both could have the public interested in an all-Kiwi heavyweight fight, but convincing Team Parker would likely be a roadblock.
Regardless, Deas firmly believes the former WBO heavyweight champion is just one or two punches away from a potential title shot with Wilder, or IBF, WBO and WBA champion Anthony Joshua.
"Joseph has definitely got the talent, the size and athleticism to get right back in the mix," Deas told Newshub.
"In heavyweight boxing, you're only one fight away from being right there in the mix.
"Look at a guy like Dereck Chisora, who reinvented himself four or five times.
"It only takes one win to get you right back in the mix and that's all the JP needs right now - one quality win and he'll be right back in the mix."
As for Fa's future, Deas predicts a bright one and has been impressed with the City Kickboxing prospect during his sparring sessions with Wilder.
Fa's gumption has been his most noticeable asset - holding nothing back against the heavyweight champion of the world.
"There's no going easy, there's no half-speed or anything like that," Deas said.
"The guys compete at a very high level and we typically have three sparring partners in town at one time to share all the work, so if Deontay goes nine rounds, they'll each go three.
"But Junior has been very, very valuable. He's very competitive and he's got a great skillset."
Newshub.
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