Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is embracing the idea of a possible New Zealand grudge match with unbeaten contender Junior Fa.
Parker's manager, David Higgins, has recently mentioned that he's seriously exploring the idea of making the fight against Fa.
Parker was in action last weekend, when he knocked out Shawndell Winters in the fifth round in Frisco, Texas.
Parker believes a fight with Fa will be the biggest showdown his country has seen since the 2009 battle between New Zealand rivals David Tua and Shane Cameron, which Higgins also staged.
Streaming service DAZN will soon enter the New Zealand market, which may becoming a contributing factor in Parker vs. Fa coming together.
"Obviously he's undefeated and I think the public will see it as a big fight here in New Zealand," Parker told the New Zealand Herald. "I don't think he's had the same level of opponents as me, but styles make fights and maybe that's why everyone's interested in it. He and his team have done well.
"I think the first time we tried to get a fight organised they asked for too much money, but I think this is the opportunity to make it happen. If the public want to see it maybe we should make it happen. Everyone wants to see who's the best in New Zealand.
"You have to respect every heavyweight's power. One punch at the right time on the right spot can knock out any heavyweight. Even though he hasn't knocked out a lot of his opponents, maybe he hasn't landed the proper shot. When you have someone who's six foot six and carrying the weight he has, if it lands on the right spot it can make a big difference."
While both boxers are backed by New Zealand fans, there could be a different type of divide as Parker is Samoan and Fa is Tongan.
"That will add an extra twist," Parker admitted. "I know throughout my career that the Samoans and Tongans and all Islanders have backed me all the way to the top but when it's something like this – a Samoan against a Tongan – each country gets behind their own and it makes it a bit more interesting."