Boxing: Triumph will present big decisions for Joseph Parker

Joseph Parker and Hughie Fury stare each other down at yesterday's weigh-in. Photo / Photosport.nz

By Patrick McKendry in Manchester

Having options is important in the world of professional boxing, and a victory for Joseph Parker against Hughie Fury would provide those.

As a holder of the WBO world heavyweight title, he has something people want, and that brings those people to the negotiating table.

We have seen with this clash against Fury - originally to be held in New Zealand in May - how difficult such negotiations can be even despite Parker being a champion, so a defeat would probably mean the 25-year-old New Zealander would face a long period of rebuilding.

He is young enough to come back, but it is a possibility neither he nor promoter David Higgins will want to consider because financially it will be costly for both of them.

It is understood Parker will bank about $1.5 million from this fight at Manchester Arena - win or lose. Such paydays will only be available if he is a title holder or challenging for a title. Most of Higgins' revenue for this fight will come from the international television rights, plus the pay-per-views in New Zealand, Australia and Samoa. The undefeated and popular Parker is a drawcard in those countries.

If successful against Fury, Parker is likely to fight again before the end of the year - possibly December, and unless a unification bout against WBC champion Deontay Wilder is made, it would appear the most likely location for it will be in the United Kingdom again.

He has expressed his desire to make a real name for himself here. Tony Bellew was in his sights but has agreed for a rematch against David Haye so that looks less likely now, but several other English heavyweights would jump at the chance to get in the ring with Parker.

Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte, who fought each other in an entertaining bout late last year, are both possibilities as Parker builds to a unification match-up with Anthony Joshua.

The undefeated Joshua, who has won all of his 19 professional fights by knockout, is considered the true champion of the division here after his dramatic win over Wladimir Klitschko which added the WBA title to the IBF version of the belt he already owned.

What is unlikely to be on the table next year or indeed ever is a fight against Hughie Fury's cousin, Tyson. The former champion, who was stripped of his titles, has made his presence felt in the build-up to Parker's second title defence, but looks physically out of shape and as unpredictable as ever.

He has spoken in the past of his battles with drug use and depression, and, after announcing his retirement on social media only to change his mind time and again, many will question whether his heart is truly in it.