After losing two straight fights, Joseph Parker's career is now at a crossroads and now he will return home to put his career right back on track.
The former WBO heavyweight champion will fight in his native country of New Zealand at the Horncastle Arena in Christchurch on December 15. No opponent has been named yet for Parker.
This will mark the first time Parker fights in New Zealand since May 2017 when he retained his world heavyweight title against Razvan Cojanu with a unanimous decision. It is also the first time Parker fights at the Horncastle Arena since a 2016 stoppage victory over Solomon Haumono.
"Whoever they put in front of me I need to get the job done — and get it done well. Having experienced what it is like to reach the pinnacle of the sport, and then come back down again after a couple of tough defeats, I'm more motivated than ever to get back on top," Parker said.
After starting his career with 24 straight victories, capturing the WBO title in 2016, Parker faced his two toughest tests against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. Parker lost the WBO title back in March against Joshua in Cardiff, Wales in a fight that unified the WBO, WBA and IBF titles. Parker then remained in the United Kingdom for his last fight, which saw get knocked down by Whyte en route to a decision loss. Now with a 24-2 record, Parker is not even ranked by the WBO and is only ranked No. 6 in the WBC rankings.
