Parker’s career at crossroads

Joseph Parker and his family and advisers will meet tonight to consider options for his boxing future.

Parker’s chief adviser David Higgins has called the summit meeting following his trip to the United States and Britain for meetings with some of the biggest names in the business.

It seems the 27-year-old former WBO champion has three options as the sport goes through a broadcasting battle that sees the major networks looking to tie down top talent to long-term deals and feed of viewer subscriptions.

❚ Align with Top Rank’s Bob Arum and build his profile in the United States where ESPN is aggressively targeting the fight market.

❚ Join forces with Eddie Hearn in the UK where the Matchroom king has deals with Sky Sports and DAZN, meaning a busy and lucrative agenda on both sides of the Atlantic.

❚ Stay independent and try to push up his value by beating someone like Derek Chisora who remains a viable option for a July fight in London.

Basically, it’s time for Parker to try to cash in for what could be the final phase of his career, having repeatedly signalled his desire to retire around 30 or 31.

‘‘This week or next fortnight will be a pivotal period in terms of Joseph Parker’s career and some major decisions are going to be made, including the possibility of a restructure,’’ Higgins said yesterday.

‘‘There are competing interests trying to get a stranglehold on the sport.’’

Higgins intimated one outfit courting Parker wants an answer by Friday, adding to the pressure David Higgins, left, on Joseph Parker, right

‘‘In economic terms, he’s an under-valued asset.’’

of making the right decision.

The major players in the increasingly heated division all have different backers – unified champ Anthony Joshua is with Hearn, WBC champion Deontay Wilder is aligned to Showtime in the US, and Tyson Fury has linked with Arum with telephone number money figures involved.

Higgins maintains the Kiwi offers ‘‘probably the most potential’’.

‘‘He is yet to show what he is capable of. He is the youngest of the bigger names and he has had a bit of a run of bad luck. I don’t think we have seen the best of Joseph Parker.

‘‘In economic terms, he’s an under-valued asset.

‘‘He wants a second run at the world title and unification. The question is how is he going to do it?

‘‘All options will be placed on the table at the summit meeting.’’

Higgins said timing was the key in terms of signing Parker’s future away long-term and that was why remaining independent for a little while more had to be considered.