6 Jan 2015

Parker to fight American big hitter

9:41 am on 6 January 2015

Boxer Joseph Parker's next opponent has been revealed as American counter puncher Jason Pettaway.

Joseph Parker (R) with trainer Kevin Barry

Joseph Parker (R) with trainer Kevin Barry Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Parker has also inked a six figure deal with Burger King, which will sponsor the athlete for his next four fights.

The 22-year-old has already accepted an invitation to spar World Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko at his Austrian training camp in April.

But before that he'll take on 34-year-old American Jason Pettaway at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau on March 5.

Pettaway, who has a 17-1 record, has won 10 fights by knockout, including six in the first round.

His only loss has come at the hands of Russian giant Magomed Adbusalamov.

Parker's trainer Kevin Barry said the New Zealander would need to be at his best to win.

"If you look closely at his previous 17 fights you will see that Pettaway has power in both hands - so it's not the one power shot you have to look out for," he said.

"We intend to take him (Pettaway) places he hasn't been before."

However, Pettaway said there was nothing about Parker that scared him.

"He's being touted along with Anthony Joshua as the upcoming superstar of the division but my trainer and I have studied his style and identified his flaws which we will exploit," he said.

"I will show the world chinks in his armour."

The bout is scheduled for 10 rounds with Parker's WBO Oriental and WBA PABA Heavyweight titles at stake.

The fight is at the same venue where Parker recorded his victory by technical knockout over Brian Minto in July, last year.

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