Boxing: Joseph Parker close to securing American Bryant Jennings as next opponent

Joseph Parker may be heading back to the US for his next challenge. Photo / Photosport

Joseph Parker could be heading back to the United States for the first time since 2014 in his quest to return to the top of the heavyweight division.

Parker (24-1, 18 KOs) is keen to get back in the ring after losing his WBO title in a unanimous decision loss to Anthony Joshua, the first defeat of his professional career.

According to a report by ESPN, Parker's American co-promoters Top Rank are working on a heavyweight fight pitting the 26-year-old Kiwi against American Bryant Jennings.

The bout will not be for a title but is touted as the headliner for an ESPN card in August to take place at the new Ocean Resort Casino in Atlantic City.

Decisions decisions 🤔 pic.twitter.com/gN86ClhYVh

— Joseph Parker (@joeboxerparker) May 31, 2018

Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti said he was hopeful that the fight will be finalised soon but couldn't offer any guarantees.

"It's a fight we're working on and it's a fight we'd like to do but there are a lot of moving parts," Moretti told ESPN.

"Sometimes they get made and sometimes they don't."

It would be Parker's first fight in the US since his TKO victory against Keith Thompson early in his career in 2014.

Jennings (23-2, 13 KOs) is coming off four straight wins, his only two losses coming in title fights against Wladimir Klitschko and Luis Ortiz.

The 33-year-old American will be a stern challenge for Parker, with both fighters looking to fight their way towards another shot at the title.