Dave Allen confirms talks for blockbuster heavyweight showdown with Joseph Parker

Dave Allen has revealed that the mystery top five heavyweight fighter he and his team are locked in discussions with is former WBO title-holder Joseph Parker.

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn - who currently manages Allen - revealed that numerous opportunities had been presented to the Yorkshireman in recent weeks on the back of his statement stoppage victory over Johnny Fisher.

'The White Rhino' forced Fisher into submission in the fifth round of their contest earlier this year, exacting revenge on 'The Romford Bull', who was fortuitous to escape from their first showdown last year with his unbeaten record still intact.

Allen's subsequent success in the rematch has significantly elevated his standing back in the blue-riband division, having endured a turbulent period both inside and outside of the ring prior to his recent resurgence.

A British heavyweight clash with Jeamie TKV was mooted over the weekend, but it now appears as though the Yorkshireman is on the cusp of securing a shot at former heavyweight world champion, and current WBO number one contender, Parker.

"I got a call off Eddie Hearn saying 'I think we could do TKV for the British title," Allen said on his YouTube channel.

That was looking like the most likely option, but since then we've been asked if we'd be interested in boxing Joseph Parker! Obviously, I said yes - absolutely!

- Dave Allen (YouTube)

"I think he's a fantastic fighter and as much as I'd love to win the British title, a fight with someone of Joseph Parker's ability and name, for a proper title, would be life-changing and life-affirming."

The New Zealander is enjoying arguably the best run of his professional career, having outpointed both Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang in recent years, before emphatically stopping the so called boogeyman of the heavyweight division, Martin Bakole in February.

Since then, the Queensberry heavyweight has been in talks with Derek Chisora regarding a potential third dust-up between the pair.

Parker secured back-to-back points successes over the Briton in 2021 and it looked as though a trilogy fight would likely represent Chisora's final venture inside a professional ring this year.

However, talks with Allen are now reportedly at a far more advanced stage with official confirmation of the showdown expected to be made public in the coming weeks.

Mark Mothershaw

• Matchroom
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