Tuesday 8 August 2017 15:10, UK
Tony Bellew has revealed that he met Joseph Parker this week and hopes to challenge the New Zealander after his next WBO title defence against Hughie Fury.
The Merseysider has returned to the gym as he awaits a decision from promoter Eddie Hearn about his next bout, but Bellew's personal preference would be a world heavyweight title fight with Parker after he came face to face with the WBO title holder on his recent trip to Britain.
A mandatory title defence against Fury on September 23 is Parker's first priority, but his promoters Duco Events are keen to arrange a future fight with Bellew, who could firstly face either David Haye or Andre Ward at the end of the year.
If I fight Joseph Parker, he's lost his heavyweight championship of the world. He isn't big and I fancy it, without a doubt.
"I'm working and getting ready," Bellew told Sky Sports. "I met Joseph Parker yesterday in person. I want the Joseph Parker fight. Let's see how the situation unfolds with Hughie Fury.
"If I fight Joseph Parker, he's lost his heavyweight championship of the world. He isn't big and I fancy it, without a doubt.
"They want the fight. He's got to come through Hughie Fury first though and I'm going to fight before the end of the year - Andre Ward, David Haye."
Hearn is expected to hold negotiations with Ward's backers after flying out to Las Vegas this week and Bellew remains eager to test himself against the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.
He said: "Eddie Hearn is right now in Las Vegas, talking with Andre Ward's people.
"I've got options. There's the Haye rematch. I could sit and wait for Parker, or I can do the Ward fight. So many options on the table.
"We'll see. Eddie is going to come back with the numbers and we're going to go from there. I trust Eddie in what he'll do. Eddie will make the best decision for me."
The 34-year-old has suggested he will only have a few more fights in his career and vowed to retire if he wins a world title in the top division.
"Become heavyweight champion of the world and then I'm done," said Bellew.
"I like the Ward fight and he's pound-for-pound the best in the world, so they say. Would that make me pound-for-pound the best if I beat him? I don't know.
"There's lots of options out there and it's a lovely position to be in, but I have got to make a decision soon."
