Oz fighter is an option as Parker starts Joshua talks

Lucas Browne says he will pressure Joseph Parker into mistakes if the pair get in the ring next year, a game plan the Australian brawler says will likely result in a knockout victory.

Browne is desperate to fight Parker in March given the money which will be on offer, not to mention the the chance to claim the New Zealander’s WBO world heavyweight title, but the bout will remain in the balance until Parker’s promoter David Higgins concludes negotiations with Anthony Joshua’s team.

Parker could fight Joshua in March instead but Browne’s team remain hopeful the transtasman blockbuster will be made. Browne has effectively already agreed terms.

“I’m a guy who likes to knock people out — I don’t like to leave it up to the judges,” Browne told the Herald. “I’ll put the pressure on by going to the body and take him into the later rounds — nine, 10, 11 — that’s when I tend to be most dangerous.”

Browne is a credible opponent and the fight will be explosive.

Browne’s manager Matt Clark told the Herald: “I’m not going to disrespect Joseph Parker. He’s a great fighter, but we see things there we can exploit and Lucas is one of the hardest hitters in the division.

“Joe is there to be hit. He’s a good boxer but he can get tagged as well. If you get tagged you can be hurt.”

With 22 knockouts in 25 professional fights, the undefeated Browne, a heavily tattooed 38- year- old based in Perth but in camp in Sydney, will plant his feet and engage with Parker, an approach which will not displease the 25- year- old Kiwi.

In a video sent later to the Herald and posted on social media, Browne said of Parker: “He’s a gentleman of a bloke, I love him, but at the same time I want to knock his head off and I want the title.”

The fight, probably in Sydney or Melbourne, could make their Parker as much money as a unification bout against IBF and WBA world champion Joshua. That is because Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has talked down Parker’s value in the media, but that could be about to change, and Higgins’ transtasman negotiations could force Hearn to up his price.

Either way, it provides Parker with options and gives him something to focus on as he begins his six-week camp in Auckland with trainer Kevin Barry before Christmas.

“Hearn and I have resumed respectful discussions and have been communicating overnight,” Higgins said. “We are at a very early stage in our talks.”