By Victor Salazar

New York - Amid the heavyweight news that happened on June 1 when Andy Ruiz (32-1, 22 KO’s) stopped and upset Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KO’s) to win four titles and turned the boxing world upside down, another heavyweight made news.

That weekend, former WBO world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (25-2, 19 KO’s) announced that he signed a co-promotional deal with Matchroom Sports.

Parker lost to two Matchroom fighters in Joshua and Dillian Whyte (25-1, 18 KO’s).

His past dealings with Matchroom are one of the main reasons he signed with them.

“Matchroom has big stable of heavyweight fighters,” Parker told BoxingScene.com. “I think not only just heavyweights but most of the best heavyweight. I’ve dealt with Matchroom before and on both occasions I’ve been treated very well in both instances.”

Parker’s recent camps have been more of a weight loss camp according to his trainer. In many ways he it was similar to another heavyweight that Parker feels is the best heavyweight in the world in Tyson Fury (27-0-1, 19 KO’s).

“Last time I seen Tyson Fury was in Manchester,” Parker said. “He was really big. But he’s amazing. He’s amazing to be in camp with. It’s motivation to see what he’s done and train with. My personal opinion I think Fury is the number one heavyweight in the world. For him leaving the ring to then comeback and fight someone like Deontay Wilder and to put on the performance he did, I think that speaks for itself. His movement and his head movement. That’s him working on being fit and now he’s hit, he can only become better.”

Parker feels stamina was an issue and played a part in his two losses.

"Fury said to me when he was in camp for Wilder it was really the first time he came in shape,” stated Parker. “I think that’s key. You should be training for technique and not to be fit and I think that had an effect for my fight with Dillian Whyte.”

Another heavyweight that is on the Matchroom Sport/DAZN banner is Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed cruiserweight champion is set to make his heavyweight debut. Parker would love to welcome him to the division.

“I’d love to welcome Usyk to the heavyweight division. He’s a really, really great fighter. What he did in cruiserweight is amazing. I’d like to test myself against the best in the world and he’s certainly that.”

Parker will return to the ring on June 29th, against Alex Leapai at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence.

Usyk is expected to fight in the fall, possibly against Carlos Takam.