Dillian Whyte vs Joseph Parker

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Explosive heavyweights Dillian ‘The Body Snatcher’ Whyte and Joseph Parker will collide head on at The O2 in London on July 28 (July 29 NZ) in a bout that is sure to be seen as a ‘people’s eliminator’ for a rematch with WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

Whyte, who famously staggered Joshua with a crashing left hook in a 2015 British Heavyweight Title bout, has vowed to do what Joshua couldn’t and KO recently dethroned WBO champion Parker – a result which would bolster the 23-1 slugger’s already compelling case for a rematch with his only conqueror.

Parker, too, is viewing what shapes as another blockbuster on UK soil as a stepping stone back to Joshua – and chance to pick up where the pair left off in April after 12 rugged rounds that ended with the Kiwi surrendering his WBO title.

Whyte has already come out swinging in the pre-match jousting, questioning Parker’s bravery in what he viewed as an overly defensive display against Joshua.

“There’s going to be blood, pain and a knockout. I’m bang up for this,” Whyte said.

“Parker’s a good fighter but he didn’t show much courage against Joshua - hopefully he’ll be a bit more adventurous and come to have a fight against me.

“I like challenges and I rise to them, this is a big fight and I’ll be training very hard as always. There’s a massive incentive there to try and stop him.

“We’re back at The O2, it’s always a great atmosphere inside the arena and I’ll be looking to get a similar result to my last fight there.

“Beating Parker should almost guarantee me a World Title shot but let’s see... He’s going to be very desperate, I’m expecting the best Joseph Parker because he can’t afford to have back to back defeats.”

Parker, whose 24-1 (18 KO) record closely mirrors Whyte’s, laughed off Whyte’s barb, insisting he was looking forward to taking on an opponent who wouldn’t hide behind his jab all night.

“We’ve both been in with AJ. One of us ended the fight on our feet, the other didn’t. That pretty much speaks for itself,” said Parker – the only fighter to so far take Joshua the full distance.

“I’m really looking forward to fighting Dillian. He’s got a big mouth and says some funny things – and he’s also highly entertaining in the ring. It’ll be an incredible fight. There’s no doubt about that.

“I’m really happy with how things have worked out. I know it took a lot of hard work from my team to get this over the line.”

Parker’s promoter David Higgins of Duco Events predicted the fight would be the most compelling heavyweight contest of the year – and would be viewed by boxing fans the world over as an unofficial eliminator for a rematch with Joshua.

“This a proper 50-50 fight,” Higgins said. “It could go either way. That makes it the most interesting heavyweight fight this year.

“It’s the people’s eliminator. Whyte shook up Joshua and Parker is the first man to take him the distance. There’s no doubt the winner should move into a mandatory challenger spot.

“This fight is a great opportunity for Joseph and for Dillian. It’s a fight the world wants to see.’

Tickets are £40, £60, £80, £100 and £200 and Inner Ringside VIP tickets £500. Tickets go on general sale on Friday June 15 at 10AM UK time (9PM NZST) via www.theO2.co.uk

FIGHT SCHEDULE

• Dillian Whyte (UK) v Joseph Parker (NZ)
  Heavyweight | 12 x 3 minute rounds
  
  
• Katie Taylor v Kimberly Connor
  Lightweight | 10 x 2 minute rounds
  WBA & IBF World Lightweight Championship
  
  
• Dereck Chisora v Carlos Takam
  Heavyweight | 10 x 3 minute rounds
  
  
• Joshua Buatsi (UK) v TBC
  Light-Heavyweight | 10 x 3 minute rounds
  
  
• Conor Ben v Cedric Peynaud
  Welterweight | 10 x 3 minute rounds
  
  
• Frank Buglioni v Emmanuel Feuzeu
  Light Heavyweight | 8 x 3 minute rounds
  
  
• Anthony Fowler v Craig O'Brien
  Super Welterweight | 8 x 3 minute rounds
  
  
• Richard Riakporhe vs TBC
  Cruiserweight | 4 x 3 minute rounds
  
  
• Charlie Duffield v Reinis Porozovs
  Light-Heavyweight | 4 x 3 minute rounds
  
  
• Nick Webb v Dave Allen
  British Heavyweight Title Eliminator