David Higgins, the manager of former world heavyweight champion Jospeh Parker, says his man is willing to take a fight with Filip Hrgovic if it leads to a bigger opportunity against Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua.
Parker is fully aware of what it takes to win a world title but he’s currently on the road back to that position after being dethroned by Anthony Joshua in 2018.
The most recent stop on Parker’s path to establishing himself as a leading heavyweight against saw him outpoint Derek Chisora earlier this month and it’s a victory that keeps the New Zealander’s title hopes alive.
"It depends what the offer is," said Higgins when speaking to Sky Sports. "It's [Hrgovic fight] something that we as a team would have to discuss and weigh up the risks and returns.
"Obviously, Joseph is ranked quite highly in three of the four credible sanctioning bodies. He doesn't need to rush into the wrong fight with any one of them, but if someone is to make contact and make an offer, it will always be considered.
"He [Parker] would genuinely face anyone, anywhere, if it's the right opportunity and the right time. An offer has to be put on the table for it to be considered."
With the eyes of the world firmly fixed on the long-winding sage that is the much-rumoured Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fight, the remaining heavyweight occupying lofty rankings are also watching closely. All four governing body belts are likely to be on the line so Higgins is unaware what would happen if Parker did get himself into a mandatory position to challenge.
"I'm not sure what the contracts for Fury and Joshua are. There is talk of two fights happening, but I'm not sure when, so I think anyone that's mandatory would have to wait in the queue and they might have to service other mandatories first.
"It depends on the lie of the land. I think even if you do end up in a mandatory position, you might still be waiting a year or more for a title shot, subject to what happens."