Promoter David Higgins has said it is 'highly unlikely' WBO heavyweight boxing champion Joseph Parker will defend his title again in 2018.
The 25-year-old topped Hughie fury in Manchester by majority decision in September to retain the championship he won in December 2016 against Andy Ruiz.
There were plans for Parker to return to the ring against Japanese opponent Kyotaro Fujimoto or even a trans-Tasman bout against Lucas Browne, but that won't happen due to a lack of television interest.
"It is highly unlikely now that he will fight in December this year," Higgins told Newshub.
"Kevin Barry, Joseph's trainer and I has hoped to put something together for December but we have taken a team decision that it is best we restart next year.
"It's a risk-return business and when you have that world title, because it's so hard to win it, you don't want to take a risk all that unless the money and opportunity is right."
Higgins confirmed that there were a few offers on the table for the voluntary defence, but the numbers just didn't add up so a fight in the first quarter of 2018 is now likely.
"We assessed several options and they were good – but there just wasn't enough money on the table and it's not worth risking the belt … we took the decision to look at other opportunities on our terms early next year," Higgins said.
Parker missed the birth of his first child last year as he was preparing for his tilt at his first world title against Ruiz.
Higgins said despite his want to stay active, Parker is delighted he can celebrate her first birthday next month while putting boxing in the background for a short time.
"Joseph was fifty-fifty on fighting again this year – he has a young daughter who's birthday is in December and he wants to attend that.
"He would have done the job if the right opportunity presented itself but he is also very at piece and looking forward to having a bit of a break."
Parker's next fight is likely to be in New Zealand before the potential of big money fights in the United Kingdom against the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tony Bellew or Dillian Whyte.
Newshub.
