Joseph Parker vs Mark Hunt is the perfect comeback fight for the former WBO heavyweight champion, according to his former promoter.
In what would be New Zealand's very own version of McGregor vs Mayweather, Dean Lonergan has pinpointed UFC heavyweight Hunt as the only local opponent that would generate any interest among boxing fans in New Zealand.
- Mark Hunt hoping for one last UFC hurrah in Adelaide
- Where to next for Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker?
Parker suffered two straight losses in 2018, coming up short against Anthony Joshua in April, before dropping a close decision to Dillian Whyte in a fight-of-the-year candidate in July.
Meanwhile Hunt, who has one fight remaining on his UFC contract, has lost three of his last four fights inside the Octagon, but more importantly has never fought a professional boxing fight in a 19-year combat sports career.
The 44-year-old is likely to part ways with his current employer after his next fight, so would, in effect, be a free agent.
Whether a 12-round bout with Parker would be on his bucket-list is another matter, while money could also be an issue.
Hunt earns about US$1.5 million a fight under the UFC banner, a number that not even Parker has earned fighting in New Zealand.
With Parker pursing more than US$6 million combined in his last two fights, Lonergan acknowledges that money would be a potential stumbling block.
However, speaking to RadioLIVE, the former Kiwis international says the matchup is a promoter’s dream.
"Mark Hunt would be a wonderful fight for Joseph Parker from a promotional point of view," Lonergan says.
"The only place that would make real money is here in New Zealand, but I'm not sure it would compete with what Joseph has been making on a global stage.
"That's the only true local fight that would have any appeal to the New Zealand fans."
Speaking to Andrew Gourdie and Jim Kayes, Lonegan says, even if the Hunt fight doesn't come to fruition, he doesn't envision any situation where Parker fights a contender in his next bout.
With plenty of suitors to the respected heavyweight thrones of Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua, it could be a long road back to boxing relevance for the 26-year-old.
Lonergan believes the South Auckland native needs a couple of tune-up fights before he gets back into the title mix.
"The heavyweight division is red hot right now and I don't think Joe will be taking anyone on like that in his next fight," Lonergan says.
"He needs to have a total rebuild and get a bit of confidence back, get a win and then I am sure you will find him back towards the top of the division right after that."
Lonergan is confident that Parker will fight for a world title again.
The 53-year-old says his former charge belongs in the conversation with Wilder, Joshua, Whyte and Tyson Fury, given how competitive he was in his two defeats.
Parker represents the only opponent that Joshua has failed to stop, while Whyte benefited from a controversial missed headbutt in the closing stages of the second round.
Parker was deemed to have been dropped by Whyte and lost the round 10-8.
Lonergan says the biggest issue for Parker is how long it took him to recover.
Lonergan believes Parker would do be a decent chance of winning a rematch with 'The Body Snatcher' if given an opportunity.
"You would love to see him get in the ring with Dillian Whyte again, given that the headbutt he suffered early on really nullified his opportunity in that fight.
"I mean, he was going so well up until that point and I really don't think people quite comprehend how bad the concussion was that Joe suffered in that fight."
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