The next on the WBO mandatory list is Hughie Fury, cousin of suspended former heavyweight champ Tyson.
Higgins, however, said Parker might be able to get dispensation from the WBO to fight American Deontay Wilder instead, as the winner would therefore unite the WBO and WBC belts.
"We're clarifying those facts this week," Higgins said.
Duco will enter negotiations with both the Fury and Wilder camps, hopefully with the ability to use the other as leverage if one party tries to get too greedy. Reading between the lines however, it seems the prospect of fighting Wilder, who is recovering from hand surgery, is a lot more appealing to Duco both from a box-office and career development perspective.
Should Parker take on and beat Wilder, he would have two of four heavyweight belts.
Highly rated British fighter Anthony Joshua holds the IBF belt, while the WBA belt was vacated by Fury when he tested positive for a banned substance. Higgins said the end goal remained to have Parker unify the division, despite the cynicism of the "old school critics" this week who have poured doubt on the South Aucklanders credentials.
"He's 24 now and heavyweight's peak at around 32. He still has eight years."
Higgins did not rule out an imminent fight against the likes of Joshua if it meant the chance to unify the division.
"We're not going to avoid fighting each other," he said.
Higgins was adamant a loss would not irreparably damage Parker's career.
"Nearly all the greats have lost fights," he said. "It's how you come back that matters. If he is to lose a fight, nothing changes. You get back on the horse; you join the queue again."
