Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn says Joseph Parker could still fight Dereck Chisora - but he's not the frontrunner.
Parker was scheduled to fight the Brit last month, but a spider bite forced him out of the contest and attempts to get back in the ring have proved fruitless.
While Parker has continued to express interest in fighting 'Del Boy', Chisora's camp is more interested in fighting Ukranian slugger Oleksandr Usyk and that's the fight Hearn is trying to put together.
If all else fails, Hearn will call on Parker for a bout at the O2 Arena or Manchester Arena.
Hearn says Usyk wants to get another fight in before he challenges for the WBO heavyweight title against the winner of the Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz Jr rematch.
"I'm trying to work on Chisora v Usyk and you have Chisora v Parker as well," Hearn told IFL TV. "It's very likely Dereck Chisora will fight in February in London or Manchester."
If Usyk loses that fight, he won't be the WBO mandatory challenger for the Joshua v Ruiz winner.
The 32-year-old has only fought once in the heavyweight division, since moving up from cruiserweight. He was meant to fight Carlos Takam, but ended up fighting American Chazz Witherspoon.
"He likes the Chisora fight and Chisora is up for fighting Usyk," Hearn added. "I think it's a really good fight."
If Chisora v Usyk goes ahead, it would be a big blow for Parker, 27, who recently told Newshub that he was frustrated, waiting to hear from Matchroom Boxing and Hearn about a return to the ring.
The former WBO beltholder has fought just once in 2019, scoring a 10th-round technical knockout against Alex Leapai in June.
"It's good to be with [Matchroom], but also it's frustrating at times," Parker told Newshub, when discussing his lack of fights.
"They were supposed to give us a decision last week. Now, they've said they'll give us a decision this week.
"I have no regrets in my life, I just wanted to fight before the end of the year."
Another British boxer Daniel Dubios said he'd volunteer to face Parker.
"Someone told me yesterday that Parker was annoyed that his promoter can't get him fights," said Dubois. "As the busiest heavyweight in boxing, I’d be happy to give him work."
Meanwhile, Hearn said a deal would be done in the coming days for Dillian Whyte, who beat Parker last year and will likely fight on the undercard of Joshua v Ruiz.
Hearn has mentioned no names for Whyte, but perhaps Parker could be a surprise option.
