Friday 27 January 2017 12:57, UK
Joseph Parker says a WBO heavyweight title defence against Hughie Fury in Britain could prepare him well for a future fight with Anthony Joshua.
The New Zealander is waiting to find out the date and venue of his mandatory title defence against Fury, which will be decided when purse bids are revealed on February 1.
His promoters, Duco Events, remain determined to stage the bout in the champion's home country, but Parker insists a visit to the UK would be an ideal scouting mission ahead of a potential unification clash against IBF champion Joshua.
Asked about a future fight with Joshua, Parker said: "This could be the perfect lead-up to those bigger fights. Getting used to it, testing it out. Looking for a place over there, where we could stay and get comfortable with.
"Whatever happens, I'll be comfortable."
Parker and Fury have previously been unable to agree financial terms, forcing the fight to go to purse bids, and the title holder has questioned whether his opponent deserves a big pay day.
"He's the mandatory, but he's never headlined his own card. He's never fought on PPV, so I'm not quite sure.
"It's a world title, so he thinks he deserves a lot more money than I think he does deserve, but it's up to them what they come up with."
The unbeaten 25-year-old has already fought away from home on a number of occasions and is not worried about being given a hostile reception, if the fight is stage in Fury's preferred location in Manchester.
"I don't care where the fight is," said Parker. "Most of my fights have been in New Zealand, but people forget I've fought in America twice, I've fought in Germany, fought in Samoa, so it doesn't matter where the fight is. I'll be comfortable fighting anywhere.
"It will be a new experience and I'm sure it will feel a bit different. Over here in New Zealand, I have everyone supporting me, but I guess if I train hard, I'm comfortable wherever it is.
"It will probably give me more motivation to knock him out."
