Joseph Parker reveals: ‘I once thought my career was over…’

Joseph Parker, the humble yet battle-hardened heavyweight from New Zealand, has been on an incredible journey in the world of boxing. Once crowned the WBO heavyweight champion, Parker stood on top of the world—but a series of setbacks, injuries, and doubts nearly drove him away from the sport entirely.

In a recent emotional interview, Parker made a stunning admission:

“There was a time when I genuinely thought my career was over.”

This confession from a man currently on a powerful comeback trail sent ripples through the boxing community. Now ranked once again among the elite, Parker’s journey is being re-evaluated not just as a fighter’s tale—but as a human story of perseverance, reinvention, and redemption.

The Glory Days: Parker’s Meteoric Rise to the World Title

Born and raised in South Auckland, Joseph Parker rose from modest beginnings to become New Zealand’s first heavyweight world champion. His early career was marked by fast hands, a granite chin, and a quiet confidence.

In 2016, Parker claimed the WBO world title after a thrilling battle with Andy Ruiz Jr., securing a major world belt in front of a roaring Kiwi crowd. He would go on to defend it successfully against Razvan Cojanu and Hughie Fury before facing Anthony Joshua in a unification bout in 2018.

Although he lost that fight via unanimous decision, Parker was praised for his resilience and durability. It was his first professional loss—and a wake-up call.

From there, things started to unravel.

Back-to-Back Losses and the Darkest Hours

After losing to Anthony Joshua, Parker faced British brawler Dillian Whyte in a high-stakes grudge match. The fight was a war, but Parker again came up short, losing by decision in a bout marred by head clashes and controversy.

Then came the shock defeat to Joe Joyce in 2022—a devastating eleventh-round knockout that left Parker on the canvas and many questioning his future.

“After the Joyce fight, I was battered physically. But worse, I was broken mentally,” Parker admitted.
“I asked myself: Is this it? Am I done? I didn’t know if I could take another shot like that—not just to the head, but to my pride.”

It wasn’t just the losses. Parker also struggled with injuries, motivation, and the burden of expectation. The young champion who once seemed destined for greatness suddenly found himself lost in the pack.

Team Changes and the Tyson Fury Factor

At his lowest point, Joseph Parker made a bold decision: leave behind his old team and rebuild from scratch.

He relocated to the United Kingdom and linked up with Andy Lee, a respected former middleweight champion turned trainer. More significantly, Parker became a part of Tyson Fury’s training camp, often sparring, training, and living alongside “The Gypsy King” himself.

That move turned out to be career-saving.

“Tyson gave me confidence. He told me I wasn’t finished. That I could still be one of the best in the world,” Parker said.
“He didn’t just say it—he showed me how to believe in myself again.”

Training alongside Fury gave Parker a new spark. Under Lee’s guidance, he began improving his footwork, sharpening his jab, and rediscovering his hunger.

The result? A revitalized Joseph Parker.

The Comeback Trail: Wilder, Zhang, Bakole and Beyond

Since his partnership with Team Fury, Parker has looked better than ever.

He returned to the ring with a solid win over Simon Kean, followed by a tactical dismantling of Martin Bakole, and then a stunning performance against Zhilei Zhang, a powerful southpaw who many expected to dominate.

But it was his win over Deontay Wilder that truly turned heads.

Going into the bout as the underdog, Parker neutralized Wilder’s vaunted right hand and boxed a near-perfect fight. He didn’t just win—he made one of the most feared punchers in boxing look ordinary.

The victory catapulted Parker back into title contention, earning him the WBO interim championship and setting him up as the mandatory challenger for the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois II.

It was a moment of vindication for the Kiwi fighter.

“After everything, to be back here—on the verge of another world title fight—is a blessing. I’m not done. In fact, I’m just getting started again.”

Mental Health in Boxing: Parker Opens Up

In a sport that often glorifies toughness, Parker’s openness about his mental struggles is both rare and courageous.

He has spoken candidly about the depression, doubt, and fear that followed his losses—and how vital it was to talk about them.

“Boxing is brutal, yes. But the hardest battles are often in your own head. I had to fight the version of me that didn’t believe anymore.”

His willingness to speak out has drawn praise from fans and fighters alike. It also serves as a reminder that even champions are human, and vulnerability can be a form of strength.

The Road Ahead: Chasing Undisputed Glory

With the heavyweight division in flux and the undisputed title fight looming, Parker stands at the edge of a second chance at greatness.

He is now the WBO’s official mandatory challenger, meaning he could soon face the winner of Usyk vs Dubois—a rematch that could crown the undisputed king of the division.

A Parker vs Usyk fight would be a clash of technical brilliance, while a rematch with Dubois would bring fireworks. Either way, Parker is now one fight away from being back on the biggest stage.

He’s also been linked with possible fights against Derek Chisora, for a trilogy bout, or even David Allen, if a non-title stay-busy fight is permitted.

But Parker is clear:

“My goal is to become world champion again. Everything else is just a step on the ladder.”

Legacy in the Making: From Champion to Survivor

Whether or not Joseph Parker wins another title, his legacy is already sealed in one important way: he’s shown that resilience matters as much as talent.

He went from champion to afterthought, from hopeful to hopeless—and now back to being a genuine threat in the heavyweight elite.

He didn’t take shortcuts. He didn’t blame others. He changed, adapted, and fought his way back—physically and mentally.

In doing so, he has become a role model for fighters around the world, especially those grappling with loss, pressure, or self-doubt.

Final Thoughts: Joseph Parker’s Second Act Could Be His Greatest

When Joseph Parker says, “I once thought my career was over,” he’s not offering a headline—he’s revealing his soul. And in doing so, he’s inviting the world to witness not just a boxer, but a man on a mission.

His story is no longer just about titles or rankings—it’s about what happens when you get knocked down by life and choose to rise anyway.

And as the world watches his final chapters unfold, one thing is clear: Joseph Parker is not done writing his story.

He’s just beginning the most powerful part.