Parker deserves next world title fight, not Joshua, says Carl Frampton

Joseph Parker and Agit Kabayel should be given a world title shot ahead of Anthony Joshua, according to Carl Frampton.

The former two-weight world champion believes it would be 'a travesty' if Parker was overlooked for the opportunity.

Joshua has continued to be linked to a potential world title bout on his return to the ring.

AJ has not fought since losing his IBF title tilt against Daniel Dubois back in September.

The 35-year-old was counted out after being knocked down four times in the opening five rounds.

Meanwhile, Parker and Kabayel both hold interim world titles amid a string of impressive recent performances.

Discussing the heavyweight title picture, Frampton told talkSPORT: "If anybody jumps ahead of Joseph Parker it’d be very, very unfair."

The New Zealander is in pole position to take on the winner of Dubois' undisputed title bout against Oleksandr Usyk.

They are scheduled to meet at Wembley Stadium on July 19, following their first fight two years ago.

Parker is the current WBO interim champion, having held the belt since March 2024.

He has since defended it once, beating Martin Bakole in February to record a sixth consecutive victory and move to 35-3 as a professional.

Asked if it would be a travesty for Parker to miss out, Frampton added: "Yeah, it would be. Parker deserves a shot next definitely.

"Kabayel maybe. If Kabayel gets it in front of Parker you’d feel a little bit disappointed for Joe. I still feel he’s more deserving than Kabayel.

"But if AJ gets it in front of either of those two I think it would be unfair but I get it because he’s a huge, huge draw."

Kabayel himself won the interim WBC title in February with a vicious body shot stoppage of Zhilei Zhang.

The unbeaten German had recovered from an earlier knock down to claim his 18th knockout win.

As for Joshua, he has already been a two-time heavyweight world champion in his career.

His first reign included a unanimous decision victory over Parker in Cardiff back in 2018.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested a long-awaited bout against Tyson Fury could instead represent AJ's comeback fight.

However, any potential fight with the Gypsy King would require him to come out of retirement.

Hearn has also revealed he expects Joshua to hang up his gloves by the end of next year.

His loss to Dubois leaves the British fighter's professional record at 28-4 with 25 wins via knockout.

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Caption: Anthony Joshua (right), during one of his recent bouts.

Joshua could retire in 2026, says Hearn

Heavyweight boxing great, Anthony Joshua's career in boxing will likely be over by the end of 2026.

That is according to promoter Eddie Hearn who has guided the stellar career of the former two-time heavyweight champion from his professional debut in 2013.

Joshua hasn't fought since losing by brutal KO to Daniel Dubois last September, and is currently recovering from surgery.

AJ hoped to fight bitter rival Tyson Fury before the end of his time as a pro, but the 'Gypsy King' insists he is retired.

The former Olympian himself is now 35 and he is approaching the twilight years of his stint in the squared circle.

He will fight again, but Hearn believes next year could see his final bow in the ring.

Hearn told Ariel Helwani: "AJ will have been out of the ring just over a year by the time he steps back into the ring.

"He'll be coming off surgery. I don't think Tyson Fury will be ready to fight around that time.

"I imagine it will be someone who gears him up for a really big fight in 2026.

"2026 will probably be his last year in the sport. Thinking about it [retirement], it's probably three fights away.

"If I'm advising AJ, 'We're back this year, we have two Tyson Fury fights, and what else is there to do?'

"Maybe fight Daniel Dubois. Once AJ fights Tyson Fury, he's kind of done it all.

"Something feels right about coming back this year, fighting Tyson Fury twice next year, and then sailing off into the sunset."

Joshua has had a frustrating year so far as he has been hit with injuries and setbacks.

But he is still arguably the biggest commercial draw in the heavyweight division, and could earn more lucrative paydays.

A two-fight deal with Fury would of course be Joshua's preference but some huge alternative opponents could lay in waiting.

He is reportedly in talks with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh over a new two-fight deal.

Reports indicate that fights with Dillian Whyte, Jared Anderson or Deontay Wilder will be explored.

And a huge showdown with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has also been on the radar.

The iconic Brit will hope he can make one last push to the world title mix first.

Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois will rematch on July 19, and AJ 

could well eye a shot at putting his name in the mix.