By Stephen Foote
Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker may have a mandatory IBF title challenge locked up, but Duco Events' Dean Lonergan now has his sights set on an earlier bout with former world champion David Haye.
Parker's unanimous decision win over Carlos Takam earlier this month has guaranteed him a fight with IBF Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, however his promoter Dean Lonergan now believes there would be plenty to be gained by taking on the British veteran in a lead-up bout.
'We've booked a fight with Anthony Joshua. We've got the golden ticket," said Lonergan.
"But if we could do the right deal with David Haye, that fight could potentially pay more than a world title fight."
That assertion rests on the logic that Joshua, as the champion, would command a much greater share of the fight revenue, whereas a clash with Haye would amount to an equal share of the profits for Parker.
However taking on a fighter like Haye, a household name in the UK with a proven pedigree as a former world champion, would bring other benefits to the table. In contrast, a loss would mean Parker cedes his title challenge with phenom Joshua.
"It would put him on the map in England in a massive way, so I see a lot of upside," explains Lonergan. "There's a little bit of risk, and of course this is all predicated on the fact that we get past Solomon Haumono first."
The 35-year-old Brit is fresh off a second round TKO win over Swiss Arnold Gjergjaj, having only this year returned from an almost four year hiatus from the ring, and Lonergan believes he's ripe for the picking.
"David Haye is hitting pillow puffs. I think we would go up there and destroy David Haye.
"His three and a half years outside of the ring has definitely put him back, and I just see it as more upside than downside."
Lonergan had one parting message for the Englishman.
"David Haye grow some balls and take on Joseph Parker for the IBF mandatory. Man up, son."
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