By Ryan Burton

Joseph Parker (20-0) will step foot in the squared circle for the fourth time in 2016 on October 1st.  Standing across from him will be 6'7.5" Russian giant Alexander Dimitrenko (38-2).  Parker's mandatory position against IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will be at stake.

With most of the division's rulers standing 6'6" or taller, the 6'4" Parker and his team decided that they should face taller opponents as they transition from being a prospect to being a contender.  Dimitrenko is up next and could be followed up by Joshua on November 26th.

"After the last fight I took a little bit of a break - two weeks - I got to spend with my family to chill out a little bit.  I believe training camp has gone amazing. Dimitrenko is a new challenge for me, fighting someone a lot bigger," Parker stated.

"When you see the heavyweight division all these guys are big, all the guys who are champions.  I had good sparring partners who pushed me and helped me work on new things and give me the opportunity to work on the new things I learned from Kevin (Barry)."

If Joshua isn't next, Parker's United Kingdom debut could still occur with Olympic bronze medalist David Price as a potential opponent.  No matter who is next, Parker believes that Dimitrenko is a perfect opponent.

"It helps me prepare for these champions that are a lot taller. plus Dimitrenko has a great record and I watched tape and he is definitely a smart fighter who presents a challenge.  I am taking him very seriously," Parker told BoxingScene.com.

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