Parker set to fight on American soil in February

Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is set to return to the ring in February with a fight in the United States.

The New Zealander's manager, David Higgins, confirmed Parker will head Stateside for his first fight of 2020, as he looks to press his claims for a world-title shot.

Parker was due to do battle with Dereck Chisora last October but withdrew from the bout after being ruled out through illness.

Higgins revealed that Parker's opponent will be announced in due course.

He told Sky Sports: "There are concrete plans, which it's not my place to announce. But there is a date and a venue, and it's the opponent we're waiting on.

"We've been told it will be late February and the United States is what we're told. We're just waiting on who the opponent is."

https://s.yimg.com/it/api/res/1.2/6u...526d00aed417e2

Parker stopped Alex Leapai in the 10th round in June, with that bout turning out to be his solitary outing in 2019.

Higgins added: "It will be someone decent [Parker's next opponent]. Joe had a good win over Alex Leapai, who fought [Wladimir] Klitschko for a world title, and he won convincingly.

"It's another step up. He's ranked at two now by the WBO, so it's basically another step towards a better opponent and then after that, should he get a good win, which I think he will, then challenge one of the big boys - [Deontay] Wilder, [Tyson] Fury. Joe will fight anyone."

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/par...174321943.html