Joseph Parker

Parker steps in the ring against former NRL star Solomon Haumono in Christchurch tonight, knowing a defeat will derail his shot at a world title.

In May, the 24-year-old Aucklander beat Cameroonian Carlos Takam by unanimous decision, a result that took his record to 19-0 (with 16KOs) and made him the mandatory challenger to Englishman Anthony Joshua's IBF belt.

“I am proud to become the latest brand ambassador for Digicel, a company that not only promotes but also embodies its own mandate to all to 'be extraordinary'.

“Every day I strive to break barriers, overcome obstacles and dare to be extraordinary. Pairing up with a company that shares the same drive and focus is great and I look forward to what we can achieve together,” Parker said.

Parker earned the right to fight Briton Anthony Joshua for the IBF title when he beat Carlos Takam in an eliminator bout in Auckland at the weekend.

However, that mandatory challenge is unlikely to take place before the end of the year and could even be put back later if Joshua fights a unification bout against fellow Brit and WBO and WBA heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Australian newspaper The Daily Telegraph reports that Haumono and Parker have been negotiating the multimillion fight through their respective camps for months, and are now close to finalising a deal with an announcement potentially coming within days.

The fight would likely take place in New Zealand, and the winner would get an IBF title bout against Britain's world champion Anthony Joshua.