IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua

Parker is now 'favourite' opponent for heavyweight world title fight in November

Hearn has been struggling to tie down Bulgaria's Kubrat Pulev as his preferred opponent and appears likely to enforce the mandatory challenge owned by Parker for the November 26 fight.

Hearn is set to announce Joshua's opponent on Monday night (NZ time) but gave a sneak preview to his current thinking in an interview with iFLTV.

I think the favourite to fight Anthony Joshua is Joseph Parker," Hearn said.

Joseph Parker facing '18 month wait' before title fight

Kevin Mitchell, boxing writer for the Guardian, told Radio Sport's Martin Devlin on the DRS Show that Parker is an impressive prospect which actually hinders his chance of a title shot against Briton Joshua. That and the fact that Joshua is lining up a huge pay day in a fight against compatriot Tyson Fury, means Parker will have to wait in line.

"He's [Parker] impressive, he's obviously got power, style. He's made a good impression. There's no two ways about that. He's probably in the unenviable situation of being slightly dangerous," Mitchell said.