Davis Higgins, manager of former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, believes there is a possibility that his boxer could secure the opportunity to fight for his old title.

At the moment, undefeated  Oleksandr Usyk is the mandatory challenger for the belt. Current champion Anthony Joshua has been ordered to face him.

A deal should be too difficult to make, since both boxers are promoted by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom.

Usyk became the mandatory challenger after become the undisputed world champion at cruiserweight and then made a decision to move up in weight - but Joshua has another mandatory obligation owed, to the IBF, who ordered him to face Kubrat Pulev. 

Pulev appears to be the most likely opponent for Joshua.

"There's talk that Joshua might have to vacate one of the sanctioning bodies. If he vacates the WBO, then suddenly you've got Usyk mandatory and I think the next available ranked boxer is Joseph Parker," Higgins told Sky Sports.

"You could end up with a situation where you have Usyk fight Parker for the vacant title, which funnily enough is how Joseph became world champion. He fought [Andy] Ruiz for the vacant title. History repeats. Usyk is a very tough fight. He's a southpaw, he would dissect Anthony Joshua.

"We know this, but if you're the better boxer and you get a world title shot, you have an obligation to take it. Joseph being old school will not take a backward step, so if that does happen, Joseph will be straight in and he'll fight Usyk. Usyk is a very skilled professional. I respect him and his manager, but it would be a good fight. Hopefully, we might see that this year."