Joseph Parker lays down challenge to Anthony Joshua after "smoke you" remark

Joseph Parker has called on Anthony Joshua to back up his trash-talk with action after the Brit claimed he would “smoke” Parker.

The two former heavyweight boxing champions faced off in March 2018 in a unification bout, which AJ won by unanimous decision to add the WBO belt to his collection.

Parker, 30, has boasted an exceptional record of 6-1 since losing his first fight, while the Watford fighter’s career has hit somewhat of a bump following losses to Andy Ruiz and most recently Oleksandr Usyk.

And with Joshua claiming he would smoke Parker, the New Zealander has hit back by vowing that “things will be different” if they fought a second time.

Parker told Vegas Insider: “I saw what Anthony Joshua has said. He is keen to fight me and smoke me? Come on, he couldn’t smoke me the first time.

“Back up what he’s saying then and let’s get on with it. Then let's see who gets smoked.

"The first fight in 2018 wasn’t exciting but it came down to us both. If we had a rematch it would be different. If not from him, definitely from me.

“I have been staying on track with training, practising what Andy Lee has been teaching me and I'm a lot more confident. Time to punch pricks in the face and enjoy it.

Do you think Joseph Parker has surpassed Anthony Joshua? Let us know in the comments section.

“With Andy in my corner and with the new training and newish style we have worked on, I’ll have a lot more confidence.

“And I only see myself improving and getting better from now on.”

Joshua was outclassed by Usyk back in September but invoked his right to an immediate rematch, which promoter Eddie Hearn hoped to set up for May or June.

But the clash is now in jeopardy after Usyk answered Ukraine’s call to return to his homeland and fight against the Russian invasion.

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AJ, 32, has since confirmed he will fight a different opponent if Usyk remains preoccupied.

And Parker’s camp are desperate to fight the former unified champion, with the Kiwi claiming they have “unfinished business”.

He said: "My manager David has reached out to Eddie and Frank about myself fighting Joshua.

"I have texted Frank Smith and said I can fight Joshua if Usyk and Joshua don’t go ahead. It is unfinished business, I feel.

“I feel I’m on the rise. But I can’t really comment whether he is or not. He is still at the top though.”

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