Tyson Fury option for Parker

Joseph Parker promoter David Higgins is keen to lure former champion Tyson Fury into a world title fight if plans for a unification bout with Anthony Joshua can’t be met.

Higgins has engaged Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn in a verbal stoush after heavy criticism of Parker’s recent laboured WBO title defence against Hughie Fury in Manchester.

Hearn said Parker’s performance was ‘‘very poor’’ and meant he was a hard sell in the UK now with fans viewing the Kiwi as a ‘‘mismatch’’ against WBA and IBF champion Anthony Joshua.

Hearn felt Parker’s effort had also devalued a potential clash with Tony Bellew, should Bellew get past David Haye in their juicy London rematch.

Higgins is eager to make 2018 a major money year for his unbeaten champion.

Higgins believes Hearn is simply trying to lower the value of a Parker v Joshua unification clash and says he won’t be ‘‘lowballed’’ by the king-pin of the lucrative British scene.

If he and Hearn can’t sort out their differences, Higgins is prepared to turn his attention to Tyson Fury and what would be a massive fight in Manchester with the potential to sell out Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United where the Furys are firm fans.

It might be a longshot as there are obvious obstacles to overcome, although Fury has stated his intention to return to the ring.

Firstly Fury, a lineal champion of the division, needs to get his British boxing licence back and clear his name of doping allegations from what has been a long and painful two years since he beat Wladimir Klitschko and then slipped into downward spiral.

Secondly the big man needs to get fit. He is seriously overweight though is reportedly increasing his training and desire.

Higgins sees a Parker versus Tyson Fury fight as hugely marketable and believes he may be able to get a better share of the spoils from the Fury camp than dealing with Hearn in a year where the Kiwi must cash in on his world title status.

Duco Events have a good relationship with the Furys after the Manchester experience and Parker has a real affinity with Tyson Fury as was shown when photos emerged of them partying post-fight.

‘‘Tyson Fury is training and that opens a possibility of Tyson trying to get his WBO belt back off Joseph,’’ Higgins told Stuff.

‘‘Joseph has got the belt Tyson vacated and he beat his cousin Hughie. It’s marketable. It would be a big occasion if they squared off at Old Trafford and could potentially be more lucrative for Joseph Parker than the Joshua fight.

‘‘The thing is, on the revenue share, we reckon we could do a better deal with the Furys.’’

Higgins described Fury’s licence scenario has ‘‘a bit of a grey area ... but we are hoping that Tyson does come back’’.

‘‘Look, even in Tyson’s current state of weight, if he called out Anthony Joshua and fought him, it’s still going to generate a hundred million bucks, fat or not fat. The fact is Tyson is still a very marketable, promotable boxer.’’

Meanwhile, Higgins is hoping to finalise Parker’s next opponent for a December fight this week. He is juggling several options.