Ricky Hatton has warned Deontay Wilder against complacency against Joseph Parker.
Both heavyweights have suffered defeat and lost their world champion status but meet on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, live on DAZN PPV.
A win for either fight could put them in position for a high-profile clash in 2024 to tee up a shot at the winner of Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk.
Wilder is the favourite, but former world champion Ricky Hatton told ICE36 that Parker is not to be underestimated.
He said: “I love Joe Parker. I’ve spent a bit of time with Joe in the Tyson camp. I think he’s a great, great lad. I was at his last fight in Saudi where he put on a really great performance.
“Wilder can’t take his eye off the ball; he can’t underestimate Joe. Everyone thinks it’s a forgone conclusion that Wilder will win this fight and then fight [Anthony] Joshua, which is a bit disrespectful towards Parker and [Otto] Wallin.
“Technically, Joe is a really gifted boxer. He’s a good size. Wilder has massive punching power but isn’t the best technically.
“If Wilder takes his eye off the ball, then Joe could come in and steal the limelight. He is capable of beating Wilder and has boxed at a high level for a number of years now.”
You can watch the Day of Reckoning, featuring Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin, Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller, on DAZN PPV on Saturday, December 23. Click here for more details.