Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker has a clear message to fellow heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder: respect me.
Parker, 25, is currently the reigning WBO heavyweight champion, having secured the belt by defeating Andy Ruiz last year, but believes he isn't held in the same esteem as WBA and IBF champion Joshua, or WBC champion Wilder.
Speaking to ESPN, the unbeaten Parker said that his achievements are undervalued in world boxing, but believes he has what it takes to make his critics eat their words.
"I don't think I've ever gotten the respect of being a world champion, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion," he said.
"I feel as a world champion I have achieved something incredible in our country and am very happy with what I have achieved. But I don't think I get the respect."
Parker also made it clear that he's targeting his fellow champions, starting with undefeated British heavyweight Joshua.
"Now I have the WBO, I want the WBC. I want the IBF. I want the WBA."
"AJ is a fighter who is champion of the world. My goal is to unify. My goal is to grab his belts and to say that I am the real champion."
"I don't think I would have problems knocking them [Joshua or Wilder] out."
Earlier this week, Parker rebuffed an offer from Joshua's promoters, saying that the financial stake was too low for him to accept.
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