Joseph Parker is ready to fight for the IBF heavyweight title belt in November.
That's the message coming from Duco Events promoter Dean Lonergan after Anthony Joshua's manager Eddie Hearn said the Kiwi was the favourite for a heavyweight showdown on November 26.
Hearn said: "At the moment I think the favourite to fight Anthony Joshua is Joseph Parker."
"There's a few things that have gotta get done but I think it's a great fight, and why not do it now."
Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn (Getty Images)
Parker, who first fights Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko on October 1, would be keen for the fight if the offer is put in front of him
"The original intent was for Joseph Parker to fight on the November 26 undercard of Anthony Joshua versus whomever and [Parker] would be fighting David Price, and then we'd fight Joshua in March," said Lonergan.
"Now, we've always said if they want Joseph to step up to the plate on November 26 we'd be more than happy to do it.
"A deal is not a deal until it's tied down and signed and to say this is a fluid situation is an understatement, but if we can get the deal done then that would be brilliant."
Lonergan believes Parker is now seen as the favourite to fight because other boxers are scared of the risk versus reward in a bout with Joshua.
"We're in a mandatory position, I'm pretty sure we can come to a financial deal.
"Joseph wants the fight, we want the fight, I'm sure it's going to happen."
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