By Duncan Johnstone

Former British world champion Glenn McCrory believes Joseph Parker belongs in the top bracket of heavyweights.

McCrory, who held the IBF's cruiserweight belt in the late 80s before stepping up to the heavyweight division where he was found short, works as a pundit for Sky Sports in the UK and was suitably impressed as Parker battled his way past Carlos Takam last Saturday.

The win gives Parker the mandatory rights to fight IBF champion Anthony Joshua and the debate is building in the UK over Parker's credentials.

McCrory is a fan of the Kiwi, declaring: "For 24 years of age he [Parker] answered lots of questions and I genuinely do think he's put himself in the top bracket of world heavyweight boxing.

"He's still got a lot to learn but this was his biggest test to date and he's come through this with flying colours and I do think the future looks good for Joseph Parker."

While some armchair critics question Parker's worth, he continues to gain applause from experienced boxers with belts to back up their thinking. McCrory's praise comes on top of validation from current WBA, IBO and WBO world champion Tyson Fury and legendary American Larry Holmes.

It's an exciting heavyweight scene with fresh talent coming through and some old hands looking to get back into the mix following the dethroning of long-time champion Wladimir Klitschko late last year.

There is building pressure for Joshua to take on fellow Brit David Haye after former world champion Haye continued his comeback with a second knockout, finishing off Arnold Gjergjaj in less than five minutes, flooring him four times.

But Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn made it clear that Haye isn't on their radar for now.

Hearn also indicated Parker could be waiting for a while for his shot at the title as Joshua looks to get more belts, with unification fights taking precedence over the mandatory challenge.

"If you want the truth, Haye is not on our radar. We've got no plans to fight David Haye in 2016," Haye told Britain's Mirror newspaper.

"Anthony will fight Dominic Breazeale on June 25, then defend his title at the end of October, early November.

"After that he will have his mandatory or a unification fight, which could be Tyson Fury. So Haye won't be in the next three fights."

There is a strong chance that Parker will fight on the undercard of Joshua's end of the year promotion in London, with Hearn eager to get the British audience acquainted to the Kiwi with a first hand look at him. Parker's win over Takam was shown live on TV in the UK.

The Parker camp, both the fighter and trainer Kevin Barry, admit the performance against Takam was far from perfect and there is still much improvement left.

They are moving quickly into sorting that out.

Parker's next opponent has been confirmed as Australian Solomon Haumono, with a South Island fight in July.

Haumono, a former NRL star turned pro boxer, is seen as an ideal fight to keep parker ticking over as he waits for his title shot and looks to improve his game in the meantime.

Haumono is a 40-year-old who has fought 28 times for 24 wins (21 KOs), 2 losses (1 KO) and 2 draws.

Born in New Zealand of Tongan descent, he made his name in rugby league with a lengthy spell in the NRL and Britain's Super League, playing 159 games spread between Manly, Wests Tigers, St George, and the London Broncos.

He took up professional boxing in 2000 and has fought mainly limited opponents though he has made his way to No 12 in the WBA rankings where Parker sits at No 10.