In what could be a major turning point in his career, former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has opened the door for a high-profile rematch with British-Nigerian boxing star Anthony Joshua. This potential bout offers Joshua a golden opportunity to climb back into the world title picture, following a turbulent period in his professional journey.

Parker, who currently holds the WBO Interim title and stands as the mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO championship, revealed in an interview with FastSlots that he is very much open to facing Joshua again. The New Zealand fighter emphasized the massive appeal of a rematch, calling it a globally significant fight that would bring excitement and stakes for both men.

“AJ is always going to be a big fight because he’s a massive draw,” Parker said. “He’s one of those rare athletes who can suffer a loss like the one to Daniel Dubois and still command a massive audience. That’s the kind of pull he has. People will still come to watch him fight, and that’s powerful.”

Joshua, now 34 years old, has not stepped into the ring since his shocking knockout loss to IBF champion Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their September clash. That defeat marked one of the lowest points in Joshua’s career and seemed to derail his ambition of becoming a three-time world champion. Since then, the Olympic gold medalist has been on the mend, recovering from a minor injury sustained in that bout, with his return to full training still pending, according to his longtime promoter Eddie Hearn.

Despite Joshua’s current layoff, Parker remains convinced that a rematch would be both competitive and commercially successful. “AJ has been the face of boxing in the UK and around the world for many years,” Parker added. “He still puts bums in seats. He still sells out arenas. He still has a massive name, and that alone makes him one of the biggest fights available right now.”

The history between the two fighters only adds to the intrigue. Their first meeting came in March 2018 when Joshua defeated Parker via unanimous decision in a heavyweight unification bout that saw Joshua add the WBO belt to his IBF and WBA titles. For Parker, the loss was a significant moment in his career, and the desire to avenge it has never faded.

“I want to correct my past mistakes,” Parker said. “If I can’t immediately get a shot at Usyk or Dubois for the world title, then I want to face someone I’ve lost to before—be it AJ, Joe Joyce, or Dillian Whyte. I feel like I’ve evolved into a completely different fighter now, and I’d love the chance to prove that.”

For Joshua, a win over Parker would be monumental. It could not only restore his position as a serious title contender but also reenergize his career at a time when many are beginning to question whether his best days are behind him. On the flip side, a loss to Parker would likely confirm a decline in Joshua’s elite status and could spell the beginning of the end for his time at the top of the division.

Wilder Lurking in the Background

While Parker and Joshua explore the potential for a rematch, another familiar name is hovering on the horizon. Former WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder has made it clear that a showdown with Joshua remains a possibility in the near future.

Wilder, who has endured a rough patch with four losses in his last five fights, is scheduled to return to action on June 27 against Tyrrell Herndon. During a recent interview with 78SPORTSTV, the American knockout artist admitted that he still sees a bout with Joshua as viable—though not in the immediate future.

“Not this year for sure, but in the near future,” Wilder said. “Maybe sometime next year. But all of that is close. It’s still a fight that makes sense, and I think fans still want to see it.”

In the meantime, the WBO has mandated that Usyk defend his title against Parker, with a path to a world championship potentially opening up for the Kiwi depending on the outcome of Usyk’s undisputed title clash with Tyson Fury on May 18. Should that matchup lead to vacated belts or a change in title direction, Parker could either be elevated to full champion or participate in a title fight—possibly against Joshua.

As all eyes turn to the heavyweight division’s next moves, Parker’s invitation could prove to be a lifeline for Anthony Joshua—one that could either reignite his championship dream or put a final stamp on a storied, yet turbulent career.