We have to be clever says Parker

New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker is urging a considered approach as he plots a route back from consecutive losses.

With his professional record suddenly wobbling at 24-2 and having tasted the feel of the canvas, albeit briefly, for the first time in his career in his July loss to Dillian Whyte, the 26-year-old needs a rebuilding assignment to boost his confidence and preferably get a knockout victory he hasn’t achieved in five fights over the past two years.

Parker admits he’s having to put the handbrake on his own emotions and instincts, so keen is he to make amends after coming close to pulling off a dramatic comeback against Whyte whom he floored in the final round of their see-sawing London bout.

‘‘I’d fight next week! Listen, fighters want to fight all the time so I don’t care when I fight and I want to fight anyone,’’ Parker told adamant he remains amongst the elite of the competitive division.

"But I think it’s important for us to plan well how we get back to the top. Now that we have lost two in a row we have to sort of climb up again. It’s going to take maybe two or three fights but I think we’ll get there if we plan well and lock in the right fights at the right time.’’

A third loss could be terminal so making the right choices from this precarious position is crucial. The competitive manner of Parker’s loss to Whyte has kept him marketable in the United Kingdom and his promoter David Higgins knows that’s where the biggest money lies.

Higgins says he has options there as well as the United States where good mate Eddie Hearn is trying to expand his empire. But don’t be surprised if Parker’s immediate rebuild comes in the comforts of home before the year is out.

Higgins admitted as much in a busy day of media opportunities, the first since the loss to Whyte, that included touching base with the British market and keeping Parker’s profile ticking over there.

‘‘Joseph will probably have a fight to rebuild as such, and then look to come back in the UK I would hope,’’ Higgins told

UK.

Higgins likes the idea of a rematch with Whyte, especially given the contentious circumstances of the burly Briton’s win that included Parker wrongly being docked crucial points in the second round when he was floored by a clash of heads.

‘‘If we were offered to get a rematch with Dillian Whyte, we’d take it,’’ Higgins said, though he doubts Whyte would be up for the risks involved given the position he now finds himself in looking for a world title shot.

Higgins felt the US was a longer-term option and reiterated a preference for the UK, showing no fear for an environment that has given him or his fighter few favours over three testing assignments in the past 11 months.