Joseph Parker vs. Alexander Ustinov Being Mentioned

[Ruthless-RKO]

Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (24-1, 18 KOs) could be looking for a touch of domestic revenge in his next fight.

According to a report by Stuff, giant-sized contender Alexander Ustinov (34-2, 25 KOs) of Russia is being mentioned as a potential opponent for the New Zealand star.

Ustinov fought in New Zealand in 2013, when he dominated another local star, David Tua, and retired the veteran with the loss.

The 6'7 boxer was riding a seven fight win streak - until he was dropped and outboxed by Manuel Charr last November in Germany.

As BS.com previously reported, Parker's promoter David Higgins is looking to stage his next fight in New Zealand.
Ustinov is ranked at 10 with the WBA, and because of the win over Tua he would be a very marketable opponent to sell tickets for the event.

[i{"The absence of a good opportunity in the UK would necessitate looking at New Zealand and whether we can mount a credible promotion here with a big name opponent,"[/i] Higgins told New Zealand Radio.

"[Joseph's next opponent] is someone that's big and tall, because a lot of the top guys are big and tall and he can learn from his mistakes [against Joshua]. It's ideally someone in the top 15 or top 10 of the sanctioning bodies and someone with a name that's promotable."

Higgins would like to match Parker against Tony Bellew, who last weekend stopped David Haye, but he doubts the Liverpool boxer would take the fight.

[DrDuke]

AJ fight didn't look, as if it had taken much from Parker, so I'd say, he sould fight somebody better.

[Ruthless-RKO]

AJ fight didn't look, as if it had taken much from Parker, so I'd say, he sould fight somebody better.

This fight would just be revenge though, probably will be a sell in New Zealand.

[oogiebe]

AJ fight didn't look, as if it had taken much from Parker, so I'd say, he sould fight somebody better.

This fight would just be revenge though, probably will be a sell in New Zealand.

The guy has got to fight someone not too menacing, why not...?

[candyslim]

It'll be a total walkover for Parker who is very capable of taking on someone far better and far more relevant.

Having said that Ustinov is a known name and it's a better match than say ... Parker v Hunter Sam or Ustinov v Evgeniy Orlov so I'm not complaining, not really.

[greg]

..a 41-year old Russian is hardly a serious threat to any half-way decent HW..

[Ruthless-RKO]

It'll be a total walkover for Parker who is very capable of taking on someone far better and far more relevant.

Having said that Ustinov is a known name and it's a better match than say ... Parker v Hunter Sam or Ustinov v Evgeniy Orlov so I'm not complaining, not really.

The Samoan/New Zealand fans would be made up if Parker would beat or even KO Ustinov..

[HeavyHitters]

It doesn't really matter to me who Parker should fight next. After a championship loss like that, where he wasn't seriously injured or hurt, he just needs to get back in the ring and fight.... and SOON!!

These heavyweights today just do not fight often enough.

[oogiebe]

It doesn't really matter to me who Parker should fight next. After a championship loss like that, where he wasn't seriously injured or hurt, he just needs to get back in the ring and fight.... and SOON!!

These heavyweights today just do not fight often enough.

Yeah, I'm surprised there's no news coming from that camp.

[SenorPipino]

He no longer owns any belt, so Parker's under no obligation to take on any serious contender.

Ustinov is fine. He'll probably go the distance and Parker can get some work in.

And if the Tua revenge angle still somehow works to make it an attraction 5 years later, good for them.

Guys here were jumping all over Parker-victim Andy Ruiz when he came back to fight Devin Vargas, even though Ruiz held no title and had been off almost 1.5 years.

Ustinov is a step or so up from Vargas. And Parker has yet to prove that he's some elite heavyweight, so what's wrong with him fighting the big Russian?

It would be no surprise if it was somewhat competitive. Remember Parker's less than scintillating performances against Ruiz, Fury, Chisora and Cojanu?

[jamamb]

honestly i dont mind it at all, parker just fought the #1 heavy, and to me i dont mind these types of easier fights, especially coming off a loss. plus the whole nz revenge thing might help it down there

[Stuarty]

Ustinov is as slow as a week in the jail!

[nmhz]

Parker can sell out anywhere in NZ regardless of opponent, the revenge angle is not needed. Tua was past hos prime when he was defeated and everyone knew it. Casuals probably dont remember, fanatics dont care.

With Ustinov’s size I see this as a test/warm up fight for a potential Tyson Fury fight later on which has been mentioned recently by Duco.

Parker wins by UD

[gilgamesh]

Nothing too special here, but it'll work I guess.

At least he's staying active.

[Kalan]

Ridiculous... I hate "stay busy" fights... Fight somebody that's the least bit competitive at least...

[gilgamesh]

Ridiculous... I hate "stay busy" fights... Fight somebody that's the least bit competitive at least...

There are definitely oodles of better options that's for sure.

Joseph Parker vs Junior Fa might be a big fight in New Zealand in a couple of years, but Fa probably needs a little more seasoning.

[jamamb]

maybe after he should fight charr for the regular wba

[gilgamesh]

maybe after he should fight charr for the regular wba

Is Charr ever gonna actually fight for the WBA?

That Fres Oquendo title shot has gotta be the longest running joke in Boxing history. It's been stuck in Limbo for ages, and even when fights get scheduled they have to cancel them due to lack of interest and sh*t. It's absolutely absurd.

[keirw]

If Ustinov's name makes it a decent selling fight down under then I don't see why not fight him next. He will win and probably look good doing so, also make a bit of dough while he is at it.

Parker is still young and once AJ and Wilder fight, the winner will probably have to vacate one or two titles within a year or so due to mandatories.

Maybe Parker's team are just looking to bide their time and stay busy until they can pounce on one of the vacant belts.

Not an original strategy, but one that has worked for many a fighter in the past.

[candyslim]

It'll be a total walkover for Parker who is very capable of taking on someone far better and far more relevant.

Having said that Ustinov is a known name and it's a better match than say ... Parker v Hunter Sam or Ustinov v Evgeniy Orlov so I'm not complaining, not really.

The Samoan/New Zealand fans would be made up if Parker would beat or even KO Ustinov..

The casuals no doubt. The hardcore, not so much. Still, you can't expect every fight to be a meaningful contest never mind a pick 'em.