Joseph Parker would welcome a bout with IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua next year according to his promoter Dean Lonergan.
The New Zealand heavyweight became the mandatory challenger to Joshua earlier this year, but he turned his attention to the vacant WBO belt after the British fighter opened negotiations over a possible fight with Wladimir Klitschko.
Parker will now take on Mexican Andy Ruiz for the WBO title in Auckland on December 10, with the winner of that fight set to face mandatory challenger David Haye early next year.
Joshua is also in action On December 10, as he looks to retain his IBF title for the second time against Eric Molina at Manchester Arena, before a possible bout with Klitschko in the spring.
With both men facing hectic schedules over the coming months, a Parker-Joshua fight appears to not be on the cards until the summer, but Lonergan is hopeful such a contest can take place between two of the division’s brightest young talents.
The promoter said: “Joseph will take real fights, but the opportunity to fight Anthony Joshua would be nothing short of magnificent for the heavyweight division – two of the young lions coming through.
That would be a monstrous fight. Lonergan is confident his fighter, who is yet to be beaten in 21 professional bouts, can maintain his winning streak against Ruiz next month, while he also expects the 24-year-old to make light-work of Haye, should that fight take place.
He added: “We thank the WBO for lining up David Haye. We see that as a much easier fight than Andy Ruiz Jr and once Joseph blasts through Haye, then Joshua will be the next cab off the rank.”
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