By Sam Volz: Joseph Parker’s manager David Higgins says he’s interested in putting together a rematch with Dillian Whyte next. A Whyte vs. Parker rematch would make a lot of money for both fighters and attract interest worldwide.
The former WBO heavyweight champion Parker (30-2, 21 KOs) would like to avenge his 12-round unanimous defeat against Whyte in July 2018, and he feels this is an excellent time to make it happen.
Parker, 30, planned on fighting unbeaten Joe Joyce in July, but that fight has now been pushed back to September. But in the meantime, the New Zealander Parker has an open schedule and is interested in fighting ‘The Body Snatcher’ Whyte (28-3, 19 KOs).
Dillian is coming off a sixth-round knockout defeat against WBC heavyweight champion on April 23rd at Wembley Stadium in London, and he’s lost two out of his last three fights.
In 2020, Whyte was knocked out by 40-year-old Alexander Povetkin in a surprising defeat. Although Dillian would avenge the loss a year later, some boxing fans believe Povetkin was depleted from having only recently recovered from a bad case of COVID-19.
“I already know that Joseph [Parker] would gladly jump back in with Dillian Whyte. Anytime, anywhere” said Parker’s manager David Higgins to Sky Sports.
“Joseph was showing me videos of the Dillian fight this morning, and he has wanted a rematch ever since,” said Higgins.
In 2018, Whyte won an ugly 12-round decision over Parker, beating him by 114-111, 115-10, and 113-112.
Whyte used a roughhouse approach to defeating Parker, who fought passively until suddenly opening up with a barrage of punches in the 12th to score a knockdown.
It’s fair to say that Parker didn’t fight as aggressively as he should have against Whyte during the contest. Had Parker fought the way he did in his last fight against Derek Chisora, it would have been tough for Whyte.
“Joseph would love to fight Dillian Whyte. That would be a blockbuster pay-per-view,” said Higgins. “There’s no better time for a rematch between Joseph Parker and Dillian Whyte. He’s got unfinished business with Dillian Whyte.”
You can understand why Parker would want the rematch with Whyte so severely because he didn’t perform the way he should have in that fight.
If Parker had shown more aggression, he would have had an excellent chance of defeating Whyte because he had him ready to be knocked out in the 12th when he finally opened up with his offense.
Whyte hasn’t indicated who he plans on fighting when returning to the ring. He made a lot of money in his fight with Fury, so he may not be in a hurry to jump back into the ring soon against a top-rung heavyweight like Parker.
“It’s really up to the Whyte camp, I think, to signal if they are willing to have that rematch,” said Higgins.
If Whyte wants a quick world title shot, beating Parker would be the way to get that opportunity. At 35, Whyte has got to take risks.
