Boxing: Joseph Parker eyes Anthony Joshua, Andy Ruiz rematches after victory over Deontay Wilder

Joseph Parker is already planning his list of who he wants to fight next, having revived his career with an upset victory over Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia.   

Entering the ring in Riyadh as the underdog, 31-year-old Parker put in the performance of his career - so far - to claim his biggest win, beating Wilder by a unanimous decision.   

The win was Parker's fourth of 2023, fulfilling his want to stay busy in order to work towards another chance at earning a world heavyweight title.   

The Kiwi defeated Jack Massey in January, Faiga Opelu in May, and Simon Kean in October, before adding the crown jewel with Wilder last weekend.   

Now, though, the question is who next.   

Parker's latest win has thrown a spanner into the world heavyweight schedule, with Wilder having already signed a contract to fight Briton Anthony Joshua (27-3), a bout now consigned to the scrap heap after the American's defeat. 

Joseph Parker against Deontay Wilder.
Joseph Parker against Deontay Wilder. Photo credit: Getty Images

As a former WBO, WBA, IBO and IBF titleholder, Joshua is currently without a world belt, after twin defeats to Ukranian Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua's WBO title was won against Parker, when the two squared off in Cardiff at the start of 2018, in what was the Kiwi's first defeat.   

Since then, though, the 34-year-old has lost his titles to Usyk, who will put his belts on the line against Tyson Fury in February to unify the heavyweight division.   

Joshua will likely wait for that result to find his next opponent, with either an all-British super fight against Fury or trilogy bout against Usyk to be on the agenda for promoter Eddie Hearn.   

But wanting to stay busy, Parker is happy to put his hand up to step back into the ring against Joshua.   

The two share a respectful relationship, and were pictured congratulating each other after their respective wins in Saudi Arabia, where the Brit defeated Otto Wallin on the same fight card.   

However, should the chance arrive, Parker knows what he'd bring to the table against his former conqueror. 

"I spoke to Joshua, I'd love to fight him," Parker said. "He won his fight and I won mine.   

"We spoiled the plan for Joshua-Wilder, so hopefully we can make that happen again.    

"I have a lot of respect for Joshua, he's shown a lot of respect for me. I think if we go into another fight, it would be different, a lot different."   

Another option for Parker would be to face Andy Ruiz (35-2) for a second time. 

Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker (2018).
Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker (2018). Photo credit: Getty Images

The pair have already fought once, coming at the end of 2016, where Parker claimed a controversial majority decision victory. 

That win gave Parker the then-vacant WBO title, and set him on the path to facing Joshua over a year later.   

Since then, though, Ruiz has beaten Joshua, and claimed the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO titles, before losing them in a rematch six months later.

Both Parker and Ruiz are better fighters than they were in 2016, with a rematch a fitting opportunity for both.   

"I spoke to Andy Ruiz, it would be nice to have a rematch with him," he added. "Andy Ruiz is a hell of a fighter, he looks like he's in great shape.   

"If we can lock in a fight, I can show people I did beat him properly. And I'll beat him again."   

For Parker's camp, though, one fight seems more likely than the other.   

Joshua's billing as one of the world's great heavyweights could see him out of Parker's reach - for now at least - which could lead to Ruiz first. 

Parker's promoter and manager David Higgins says a return to the ring would likely happen in March, with Saudi Arabia a potential destination, as the Gulf state firms as a new home for the sport, given its huge financial resources.

"Joseph would love to fight Anthony Joshua, that's been made known," Higgins told Newshub. "The ball is in Joshua's court. It's whether Joshua would be willing to fight Joseph again.

"Andy Ruiz would be great. Ruiz would be willing to take a fight if it comes up. If we're offered Andy Ruiz, we'll jump at that opportunity too. 

"It's wide open. You hear the saying 'I'll fight anyone'. "Joseph would genuinely fight anyone. 

"He's shown that. He's become quite a young veteran, with heaps of names on his resume.

"Obviously, he wants another world title shot. A great relationship has been built with Tyson Fury's team, and the Saudi Arabian sports administration.

"That will continue."