Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker has been linked to a mega-fight with former champion Tyson Fury.
'The Gypsy King' recently signed a multi-fight deal with Top Rank Boxing which will see Fury fight on American sports network ESPN.
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That deal has put his ordered rematch with WBC champion Deontay Wilder in limbo given Wilder's relationship with rival network Showtime.
ESPN is reporting Top Rank has offered Wilder a similar contract to Fury, but the current waters are murky at best surrounding Wilder vs Fury part two.
ESPN reports Top Rank boss Bob Arum is eyeing November as a date for the sequel meaning a mid-year date needs to be filled on Fury's calendar.
Enter Joseph Parker. The Kiwi has been listed by both ESPN and Boxing Scene as a potential option for Fury's ESPN debut.
Given the risk and reward involved in taking such a fight, Duco boss David Higgins - who called Fury the best heavyweight in the world - said that the pay packet involved would need to be significant for Parker to accept.
"Joseph Parker has proven that he'll fight anyone, anywhere if the tearms are right and fair," Higgins told Newshub.
"The answer is yes, we would fight Tyson Fury, however it would have to be a very good offer because it's a risky fight and Joe would need to bring his 'A' game."
Higgins confirmed that they haven't had any contact from Arum in regards to a potential bout.
Top Rank heavyweights Bryant Jennings, Kubrat Pulev and Oscar Rivas are all in the mix alongside the Kiwi ,with Boxing Scene reporting Duco boss David Higgins has reached out to Arum to express Parker's interest in a fight with Fury.
Parker had looked set for an April clash with Brit Dereck Chisora but that fight fell through the cracks after Chisora and his team failed to meet Parker's time deadline.
Higgins told Newshub last week that options were very much open on Parker's next opponent and although Chisora was still a viable one, a return to New Zealand or the United States is preferred.
"Parker (25-2, 19 KOs) is still considered a pretty solid heavyweight by today's standards and is currently ranked No 8 by ESPN.com at heavyweight.
"And once again, given that he has no long-term commitment to any platform in America, he seems to be unhindered in terms of accepting this assignment," an ESPN report said.
Parker would face a stiff test in Fury who has never been beaten in 28 fights. The 30-year-old has a knack for making his opponents look decidedly average as he did to Wilder throughout the majority of their December 2018 fight-of-the-year candidate.
But the South Auckland native is committed to earning his way back to a heavyweight title fight and a win over Fury would earn him a mega payday against Wilder later this year.
Newshub.
