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 Parkers 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 doesnt 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 its important to go to the body and break him down.Trainer Kevin Barry wants Parker to fight taller opponents in preparation for the eventual fight with Joshua, who is 6-6.We need to put Joe up against some big men, Barry said. There are big guys at the top of the heavyweight division. When you look at [world champion] Tyson Fury, when you look at [former champion Wladimir] Klitschko, when you look at Joshua, these guys are all tall. These are the guys we are targeting. These are the guys who hold the titles. These are the guys that dictate all of the big purses in world heavyweight boxing. So we need to go after them.Dimitrenko, 34, of Russia, is the former European heavyweight champion and has won six fights in a row since suffering an 11th-round knockout loss to contender Kubrat Pulev in a European title fight in May 2012.Dimitrenko is a guy who former world champion Shannon Briggs went out of his way to avoid earlier this year because of the risk, Duco Events promoter Dean Lonergan said. Even casual boxing fans know that all Eastern Europeans in the heavyweight division know how to fight.Dimitrenko pulled out of a fight against interim world titleholder Luis Ortiz scheduled for March 5 on HBO in Washington, D.C., because he was unhappy with the purse.With Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs), 26, of England, free to make an optional defense until Nov. 8 and the mandatory fight not due until Jan. 9, 2017, Parker is looking to stay sharp against Dimitrenko with the title fight looming.Barry said it is possible that if Parker beats Dimitrenko he will fight yet again before the end of the year.Well focus on this fight, and after this fight theres every indication that, everything going well, that we will fight another tall guy later in the year, Barry said.Parker said the eventual world title fight is on his mind but that he will be prepared for Dimitrenko.Even though theres something in the back of my head in Joshua, you still have to stay focused on whats in front of you, Parker said. If you lose focus, thats the fight you dont get to. I want to stay focused even though were thinking about Joshua. This is another challenge. Seattle Mariners Shirts . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Mariners Jerseys 2019 ., for the next three years with the signings on Monday of Daryl Townsend and Michael Carter. https://www.cheapmariners.com/ . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. Mariners Jerseys 2020 . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford. Fake Mariners Jerseys . PAUL, Minn.Juan Mata says Manchester United will get the chance to reach the Premier Leagues top positions when rivals inevitably drop points. The midfielder is on international duty with Spain ahead of their World Cup Qualifier against Macedonia on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 via the Red Button from 7.45pm, and their friendly against England on Tuesday. Man Utd vs Arsenal November 19, 2016, 11:30am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Mata is already looking ahead to improving on Uniteds start to the Premier League season though, with Jose Mourinhos side lying sixth in the table and having collected their first win in five top-flight games in their last fixture against Swansea. United face fourth-placed Arsenal on November 20, live on Sky Sports 1, following the international break and Mata believes all of Uniteds Premier League rivals will provide them with an opportunity to make up the ground. Its true that our start to the season didnt go as we had hoped for, but we are there, Mata said at Spains pre-match press conference.The Premier League is a competition in which all the big clubs drop points and we remain hopeful that we can get closer to the top positions. Highlights of Manchester Uniteds 3-1 win over Swansea Mourinhos arrival at Old Trafford had led to reports Mata could have left United in the summer transfer window, but the former Chelsea player insisted there was no rift between the pair at the start of November.dddddddddddd Mata has revealed why he is in a much better place than he was before the season began. I want to continue to do the talking on the pitch after a strange summer, with so many things that came out that were false, he said.Im enjoying myself on the pitch and things are going well for me.Ive had a good month and I want to continue to showcase my talent on the pitch. Mata could face England at Wembley on Tuesday after being recalled to the Spain squad Mata could be in line to take on England at Wembley after being recalled to the Spain squad, having been a regular starter under Mourinho, and he is confident his Premier League form can help prolong his international career. I feel privileged each time I come here, he said. I feel the same enthusiasm as I felt when I first got here eight years ago.Ive been lucky enough to be a part of the most successful generation and the competition is fierce. Its difficult to get a spot. Now at 28, Im at a fantastic stage in my career. I still have a lot to give. I hope I can continue to come many more times.I hope I can continue to improve and do more things in England. Also See: Rooney coming back into form Injured Costa out of Spain-Eng Fergie: The hairdryer truth Utd a social media religion ' ' '