Joseph Parker is back on a winning streak and is looking towards another chance to become a world champion, especially if it includes a rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr.
Parker was victorious in his first fight of 2019, beating former title challenger Alex Leapai on the undercard of the June 29 Matchroom Boxing on DAZN card from Providence, Rhode Island. The fight was the first in a three-fight promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing for Parker and his goal is to eventually fight for another championship. That would likely mean facing Ruiz, the current WBA, WBO and IBF champion who is patiently waiting for a rematch against former champion Anthony Joshua.
Both Parker and Ruiz share some history together as the two fought for the then-vacant WBO title back in 2016, with Parker winning the fight in front of his home country fans in New Zealand by majority decision. Now that Ruiz is holder of three of the four main belts, Parker is eager to face him once more for the unified championship.
“I would fight Andy Ruiz, I know that he thinks he won that fight. Big ups to him for winning his fight against AJ but if he wanted to settle his score, I’d do it," Parker said.
Parker would go on to lose the heavyweight championship to Joshua in 2018, but Ruiz was the one to dethrone Joshua on June 1 at Madison Square Garden. Joshua and Ruiz are likely headed for a rematch taking place at the end of year either in the U.S. or the United Kingdom.
