Joseph Parker Declares: ‘I’m Ready to Face Usyk to Test His Skills!’

Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is no stranger to chaos. But this time, it’s not an opponent in the ring — it’s the imminent arrival of his sixth child. Still, in the middle of organizing his household and preparing to drive his wife Laine to the hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, Parker finds time to talk about the sport that’s shaped his life.

Joseph Parker Juggles Family and Fight Life with Heartfelt Dedication

“Number six — the sixth and last,” Parker jokes. “I’ve got four girls and one boy already. One more boy and that’s it — the tribal six, done and dusted.”

While he might be juggling family duties, Joseph Parker remains firmly focused on his professional goals. Even with 39 fights under his belt, Parker is more motivated than ever to return to world title contention, with one specific opponent in mind: Oleksandr Usyk.

Joseph Parker’s Career Resurgence Under Andy Lee

Since losing his WBO title to Anthony Joshua in 2018, Parker has been quietly rebuilding. A subsequent defeat to Dillian Whyte could’ve derailed his ambitions, but a major turning point came in 2021 when he linked up with new trainer Andy Lee.

“Making the shift to Andy Lee was something totally different. It sort of revamped my passion for boxing,” Parker explains. “It gave me a bit of a buzz back to boxing. I felt like it was a new journey.”

That “new journey” has paid dividends. Under Lee, Parker has won eight of his last nine fights, including a dominant run through the heavyweight ranks in recent years. His recent victories over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole have once again made him a serious contender in the division.

His second-round stoppage of Bakole in February was particularly impressive. Originally scheduled to face Daniel Dubois, Parker had to adjust plans after Dubois pulled out last-minute due to illness. But Parker didn’t miss a beat — a testament to his preparedness and maturity.

A Relaxed Warrior: Recharging in Samoa and Fiji

After dispatching Bakole, Parker took some well-earned rest. True to his laid-back persona, the Kiwi fighter recharged not in a flashy Vegas suite, but in the Pacific Islands.

“I just went to Samoa to visit family, and had a bit of time in Fiji,” Parker shares. “The kids love the pool. Every morning I go to the buffet and I eat everything there… then we just swim all day.”

This family-first mentality fuels Parker’s career. He insists the break was rejuvenating, but once back in New Zealand, it was straight into training mode with George Lockhart, his strength and nutrition coach.

“With George and Andy, I believe we have one of the best teams in the world,” he says.

Joseph Parker Eyes a Shot at Oleksandr Usyk

As Usyk vs. Dubois II approaches — scheduled for July 19 at Wembley Stadium — Parker, the current WBO interim titleholder, has a clear goal: to face the winner.

“I feel like Dubois will be a different fighter from the first fight, but Usyk is a technician,” Parker explains. “He’s very good with his footwork, hand movement, feints… He’s a smart and intelligent fighter.”

Parker believes Dubois has the power to trouble Usyk, but admits landing clean shots on the Ukrainian master is easier said than done.

“Usyk is a great mover, and he knows how to avoid getting hit. I’m leaning towards an Usyk win again.”

Face-to-Face with Usyk: A Future Showdown?

Parker recently had a face-to-face encounter with Oleksandr Usyk at a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) event in Florence, Italy. Always respectful, Parker floated the idea of a future bout between them. Usyk’s reaction was… lukewarm.

“I walked up to him and said, ‘You’ve got two fights left. You’ve probably got Dubois next, and you should fight me last,’” Parker recalls. “And he was like, ‘Nah, nah, nah… You do your thing. After I retire, you can have your shot.’”

While Usyk may be prioritizing big-money fights against Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury, Parker remains patient. But make no mistake — his eyes are firmly set on the undisputed crown.

“I would love the opportunity to test myself against him. I do believe, at the moment, he is the best heavyweight of our generation.”

The Quiet Confidence of a Veteran Fighter

At 33 years old, Joseph Parker is no longer the young upstart who beat Andy Ruiz Jr. for the WBO crown in 2016. He’s a father of (soon-to-be) six, a veteran of nearly 40 professional fights, and one of the most respected heavyweights in the sport.

“I’m in a great place, in terms of family life and training life, and I have the best balance,” he says. “The time to fight for a world title will come.”

While the politics of boxing often delay deserving contenders, Parker refuses to let frustration take hold.

“If you put too much energy into being frustrated, or being annoyed, it just takes away from enjoying what I’m doing now.”

Training the Next Generation of Parkers

In between camps, Parker’s focus is on his family — and it seems like the next generation of fighters is already in training.

“My three eldest daughters — they’re doing jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, and boxing throughout the week,” Parker proudly reveals. “They’re learning how to defend themselves and developing real technique and skills.”

The Parker household might be chaotic, but it’s also a breeding ground for future champions. With dad leading by example, the kids are growing up with discipline, work ethic, and heart — the same qualities that have made Joseph a fan favorite.

Looking Ahead: A Shot at Glory on the Usyk vs Dubois II Undercard

Though no official announcement has been made, Parker is hoping to land a spot on the Usyk vs. Dubois II undercard at Wembley. It would be a logical next step as he builds toward a title shot, especially given his WBO interim status.

If he wins that night, a showdown with Usyk or Dubois becomes harder to ignore. Parker’s recent run of form, combined with his stellar reputation and crowd-pleasing style, makes him one of the most appealing contenders in the division.

Conclusion: Joseph Parker Still Believes in His Championship Destiny

Joseph Parker may be in the background right now, overshadowed by heavyweight names like Usyk, Fury, and Joshua, but don’t be fooled. With a rededicated training regime, an undefeated run under Andy Lee, and the humility of a man who knows how to handle life’s chaos, Parker is poised for another title run.

“I’m not rushing. I’m in a good place,” Parker says. “But when the chance comes, I’ll be ready.”

If boxing is about timing — inside and outside the ring — Joseph Parker’s moment may soon arrive. And when it does, don’t be surprised if he proves, once again, why he belongs at the top of the heavyweight division.