Joseph Parker: The ‘Destroyer’ Bakole, Wilder’s Assassin, But Why Is He Still Avoided by Usyk, Ignored by Joshua, and Disregarded by the Boxing Community?

In the ever-evolving heavyweight division, few names have remained as persistently underrated as Joseph Parker. Despite a recent career resurgence—including a dominant win over Martin Bakole and a shutout performance against Deontay Wilder—Parker continues to be overlooked by the sport’s elite. Questions are now being raised: Why is Oleksandr Usyk avoiding him? Why is Anthony Joshua not giving him a rematch? And why does the global boxing community seem so reluctant to give Parker his due?

Joseph Parker’s dominant resurgence in the heavyweight division

Over the past two years, Joseph Parker has quietly transformed himself from a forgotten contender into one of the most dangerous and technically polished heavyweights on the planet. Once labeled as “too nice” for the brutal world of boxing, Parker has embraced a newfound aggression without losing the speed and movement that made him a world champion in the first place.

The turning point came in his career-defining win against Deontay Wilder in late 2024. Expected by many to fall victim to the “Bronze Bomber’s” explosive right hand, Parker instead delivered a masterclass in control, head movement, and discipline. He neutralized Wilder’s power for twelve rounds and cruised to a unanimous decision victory. For many boxing analysts, it wasn’t just a win—it was a complete dismantling of one of the most feared punchers in the sport.

That victory alone should have thrust Parker into the top contender conversation. But when he followed it up by stopping the powerful and rising Martin Bakole, fans and insiders expected the floodgates to open for big-money matchups. Instead, Parker has been met with silence from the top names.

Why is Oleksandr Usyk avoiding Joseph Parker?

The heavyweight champion of the world, Oleksandr Usyk, is known for his intelligence, footwork, and elite technical ability. However, since unifying the titles and defending them against the likes of Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, Usyk has shown no interest in fighting Parker—even as Parker climbed the rankings with momentum and legitimacy.

Parker’s style is awkward and risky for Usyk. He’s fast for a heavyweight, with superior conditioning and a tactical mindset that can disrupt Usyk’s rhythm. Moreover, Parker’s size and strength mean that Usyk wouldn’t have the size advantage he enjoyed against fighters like Chazz Witherspoon and Tony Bellew at cruiserweight, or even Joshua at heavyweight.

Fans have started asking: If Usyk is willing to fight aging punchers or less mobile heavyweights, why not take on a prime, reinvigorated Joseph Parker?

The answer may lie in risk versus reward. Parker doesn’t bring the massive fanfare of Tyson Fury or the commercial pull of a Joshua rematch. Yet he brings danger. A loss to Parker could derail Usyk’s plans for retirement or legacy fights—making Parker a high-risk, low-reward proposition in Usyk’s eyes.

Joshua’s silence speaks volumes

When Anthony Joshua defeated Parker in 2018, he won a clear but uninspiring decision. Many critics pointed out that Parker was the first man to take Joshua the distance at that point. More notably, Parker was never hurt in that fight. He lacked the fire that night, but it was not a demolition—it was a cautious chess match.

In 2025, a rematch would look very different. Parker is stronger, more aggressive, and far more confident. He has added layers to his game under the tutelage of Andy Lee, and he now boxes with the poise of a seasoned veteran.

Still, Joshua has shown no interest in revisiting the matchup, even though it would make sense from a legacy and rankings standpoint. Some speculate Joshua fears the new version of Parker. Others believe his team sees more lucrative options elsewhere. But from a sporting perspective, ignoring Parker’s rise sends the message that Joshua may be avoiding unfinished business.

Worse, it fuels the narrative that Joseph Parker is being deliberately frozen out of the top-tier heavyweight picture.

Parker’s low-key personality and lack of controversy hurt his marketability

Boxing has always been a business as much as a sport, and Joseph Parker’s clean image, humble demeanor, and respectful approach don’t always align with the media circus that drives ticket sales. In an era of Instagram callouts, trash talk, and promotional antics, Parker remains a gentleman—more interested in the craft than the show.

While that makes him respected by purists, it has also limited his exposure. He doesn’t generate headlines like Tyson Fury, and he doesn’t have the crossover appeal of Francis Ngannou. As a result, despite his impressive resume and technical brilliance, Parker is still not a priority for promoters chasing pay-per-view gold.

This raises troubling questions about what modern boxing values. Is it skill and merit—or media buzz and controversy?

Beating Bakole and Wilder: Why isn’t it enough?

Parker’s recent win over Martin Bakole was particularly telling. Bakole was seen by many as a dark horse of the division—a big, bruising fighter with stamina, power, and a granite chin. But Parker made it look easy, systematically breaking Bakole down and finishing the fight with a statement.

His earlier win over Deontay Wilder was even more significant. Wilder had only lost to Tyson Fury before Parker, and his power was still a massive threat. But Parker’s jab, timing, and movement exposed Wilder’s limitations.

So why does the boxing community continue to look past him?

The truth may lie in promotional politics and public narratives. Parker isn’t aligned with the flashiest promoters. He doesn’t have an army of influencers pushing his image. And without a vocal fanbase demanding his inclusion in superfights, he continues to be overlooked—even when he checks every box as a top contender.

Parker’s underrated resume and global appeal

Let’s not forget that Joseph Parker is a former WBO heavyweight champion who has fought a who’s who of modern heavyweights. His resume includes:

• Anthony Joshua

• Dillian Whyte

• Andy Ruiz Jr.

• Joe Joyce

• Dereck Chisora

• Deontay Wilder

• Martin Bakole

Few fighters in the division can claim to have faced that level of opposition. Moreover, Parker brings international appeal—he is beloved in New Zealand, Samoa, and increasingly across the UK and US. He’s articulate, grounded, and well-spoken—an ambassador for boxing at its classiest.

If anything, Parker’s story is the kind of narrative the sport should celebrate: a world champion who rebuilds himself, takes tough fights, avoids shortcuts, and continues to improve well into his 30s.

What’s next for Joseph Parker in 2025?

The future remains uncertain for Parker. He’s ranked highly across multiple sanctioning bodies and could force a mandatory title shot. However, with the heavyweight division in flux—awaiting the Usyk vs. Fury undisputed fight and the rise of new challengers—Parker may need to stay patient.

Fights against Daniel Dubois, Filip Hrgović, or Jared Anderson could be on the table. But many fans believe Parker should get either a rematch with Joshua or a shot at Usyk before either man hangs up the gloves.

His team, led by David Higgins, has made it clear that Parker is ready for anyone. But in the politics of heavyweight boxing, being ready isn’t always enough.

Conclusion: Boxing’s most disrespected heavyweight?

Joseph Parker has done everything the right way—fought the best, rebuilt after losses, and evolved as a fighter. Yet, in a landscape driven more by soundbites than substance, he remains criminally underrated.

He’s the man who beat Wilder, destroyed Bakole, and still can’t get a sniff from Joshua or Usyk. If Parker were louder, flashier, or more controversial, he might already be headlining pay-per-views. But for now, he remains the quiet assassin of the heavyweight division—waiting for the world to recognize what real fans already know: Joseph Parker is a force to be feared, and he deserves his moment in the spotlight.