Daniel Dubois (l) and Joseph Parker (r) during the Launch Press Conference of their IBF World Heavyweight Title fight at Riyadh Season Boxing event. Photo: Mark Robinson/Getty Images
Joseph Parker v Daniel Dubois
IBF interim world heavyweight title
Sunday 23 February (NZT)
Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Live updates on RNZ Sport
The countdown is officially on for Joseph Parker's next fight, against Daniel Dubois for the IBF interim world heavyweight champion on 23 February.
The event, dubbed 'The Last Crescendo' had its first official press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Parker taking a rare verbal jab at his opponent.
"He might be looking too far ahead and planning big fights. I'm a big fighter. You've got a fight right in front of you right now," Parker said to the 22-2 Dubois.
"I've got my mind firmly set on you," Dubois responded, before somewhat proving Parker's point by outlining his future goals.
"This is show business. That's who I want next. First I've got to get through this guy (Parker)," Dubois said on Tuesday. "I'm going to do a demolition job on him first then I want [Oleksandr] Usyk next. I'm ready for it, I'm on a roll so bring him on."
The two seemed keen to trash talk, with Parker staring down Dubois at one point and probably winning the verbal joust on points. This fight is a massive chance for Parker to push his claims for a crack at the undisputed world champion Usyk at some point.
Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker exchange punches during the WBO Interim World Heavyweight title fight between Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker on the Knockout Chaos boxing card at the Kingdom Arena on March 08, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Getty Images / Richard Pelham
However, Dubois is coming in with a formidable recent record, having beaten Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgović and Anthony Joshua in the last year.
Parker fought only once in 2024, beating China's Zhilei Zhang for the interim WBO title and then seemingly spending months figuring out whether the two would have a rematch. Despite being contractually obligated, it's never ended up happening and Zhang is actually on the card for this event.
Despite the inactivity, Parker is confident for what could be another big victory.
"I've been boxing for a while, and I feel like I've only just begun now. I feel like I've got everything right now and you're in for a treat," he said.
"I'm very excited to be fighting for the championship of the world for the second time. Two-time world champion sounds beautiful."
Meanwhile, "the greatest fight card in the history of the sport" was the slightly hyperbolic claim by Matchroom promoter and Eddie Hearn regarding the event. Parker and Dubois are the co-main event alongside the Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol rematch for the undisputed light heavyweight championship.
"Any fight fan that makes their way to Riyadh, not just because it's a great place to be, will witness the greatest spectacle in the history of boxing."
Hearn was sceptical about the other big boxing news of the day, with Tyson Fury's retirement deflating any possibility of facing Joshua in a blockbuster 'Battle of Britain' heavyweight clash. Fury, who was beaten in December by Usyk, has retired and come back twice before.
"It's disappointing for British fight fans because we've got the chance to make the biggest fight in boxing. But if that's the last we see of him, he's had a great career, I doubt it. But it's always best to come into retirement to make sure someone pays you to come out of retirement."
