Parker to take on Dimitrenko in October bout

10:19 PM ET

Heavyweight contender Joseph Parker will risk his status as the mandatory challenger for world titleholder Anthony Joshua by squaring off with Alexander Dimitrenko on Oct. 1 at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau, New Zealand, promoter Duco Events announced at a news conference Monday.

The announcement of Parker’s bout, which is in his hometown, comes just four days after he also risked his mandatory status in a fourth-round knockout victory against Solomon Haumono in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The 6-foot-4, 234-pound Parker (20-0, 17 KOs), 24, will be the smaller man against the 6-7, 254-pound Dimitrenko (38-2, 24 KOs).

“It doesn’t faze me fighting big men,” Parker said. “I know if I put in the training, I know I can beat anyone in the world. … I think it’s important to go to the body and break him down.”

Joseph Parker, above, who is 6-foot-4, 234 pounds, will be the smaller man against the 6-7, 254-pound Alexander Dimitrenko. Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Trainer Kevin Barry wants Parker to fight taller opponents in preparation for the eventual fight …

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