Sunday 29 May 2016 17:38, UK
As David Haye tries to restore his reputation as a world title contender, is a high stakes fight with Joseph Parker an attractive option?
The 35-year-old Londoner has made no secret of his desire to face Anthony Joshua next year, but his hopes of a lucrative domestic clash have been dented by promoter Eddie Hearn's assertion that Haye is 'further away' from a fight against the IBF heavyweight champion.
Parker has already secured his shot at the IBF title after a hard-fought points win over Carlos Takam in a final eliminator at the weekend and is not willing to rest on his laurels, having already agreed a fight against Australian Solomon Haumono.
A defeat at this stage would rob Parker of his treasured status as the IBF's mandatory challenger but his ambitious promotional team have faith in the unbeaten 24-year-old and could be willing to roll the dice in a profitable fight with Haye.
Parker's promoter Dean Lonergan told Sky Sports: "If the money and conditions were right, Joseph and his team would consider any major fight in the UK, including David Haye."
If the money and conditions were right, Joseph and his team would consider any major fight in the UK, including David Haye.
Haye could well be having second thoughts about his planned bout with Shannon Briggs, considering the heavy criticism he endured after Saturday's two-round demolition of the hopelessly overmatched Arnold Gjergjaj.
An expected win over the 44-year-old Briggs would do little for Haye's standing in the top division, despite a few weeks of enjoyable mayhem, and it remains to be seen how the former WBA champion would fare in a genuinely competitive fight.
There is plenty to lose, but maybe much to gain for both men if Haye and Parker agree to a potentially explosive match-up that would generate excited expectation in England and down under.
Haye can rip away Parker's shot at the IBF belt, boosting his own stature as a contender, and Joshua would have to turn his attention to their bumper domestic clash rather than a mandated fight with the dangerous New Zealander.
Parker's profile would sky-rocket in Britain if he were to pull off a stunning victory, making him an even more marketable commodity in a future fight with Joshua.
A trip to The O2, Haye's favourite venue in London, would hold no fears for Parker, who is already planning to showcase his skills on these shores.
"I'm very interested in fighting in The O2. I actually look forward to being in the UK and displaying what we have," he told Sky Sports earlier this week.
Parker admitted himself that he displayed defensive 'bad habits' in his hard-fought win over Takam and a ruthless finisher in Haye might have spotted an inviting opportunity to jump the queue for Joshua.
After blasting aside Gjergjaj with ease, Haye bullishly insisted he was still the 'future' of the division, but is it time to prove this bold claim against Parker?
