The Kiwi earned a dominant victory against replacement opponent Martin Bakole in their heavyweight bout last weekend and his promoter David Higgins has suggested that the Brit is wary of the "menace" that is posed by the former world champion.

Higgins told Sky Sports: "Joe would jump in with AJ in a heartbeat but I reckon AJ wouldn't take the fight.

"I think AJ is a nice guy and he's had a good career but I think in recent times he hasn't looked comfortable in the ring, particularly in that last fight. He didn't want to be there.

"The way that Joseph is fighting, it would be a very risky call by him and his handlers to jump in the ring with Parker. Most boxers take the lower-risk option, except for Joseph Parker. He takes the highest risk and the toughest option."

Parker lost on points to Joshua when the pair fought in 2018 but the heavyweight is enjoying one of the best periods of his career following wins over the likes of Bakole and Zhilei Zhang.

Higgins said: "I think fight by fight, the last three, Joseph is establishing more credibility, more menace and fight by fight, they will all be going, 'This fighter is dangerous'.

"After the other day, they'll all be going, 'He really is dangerous'.

"We'll see what happens next. We'll wait and see what the Saudi authorities and Queensberry offer next and we'll go from there."

The promoter revealed that Parker is determined to fight again this summer as he aims to continue the momentum that has propelled him back into contention for world title bouts.

He said: "Joseph would like to get back in the ring as soon as possible. Four months. He doesn't mess around, he just wants to keep going.

"Anywhere, it would be ideal in the summer."