By Duncan Johnstone

New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker's latest win has seen him lift to a career-high No 6 ranking with the World Boxing Organization.

The first round demolition of Australian Bowie Tupou in Invercargill earlier in the month was another positive result for the rising Kiwi star.

He collected Tupou's WBO African heavyweight belt to go with his Oriental title, raising his stocks considerably with the respected organization.

The win also saw the 23-year-old become the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation's heavyweight champion, giving him a vital link to the World Boxing Council.

The WBC has reacted quickly by placing Parker, previously unrated by that organization, at 18 in their rankings. Now he can start maneuvering  up that ladder.

Parker's handlers see the WBC has the most logical belt to target as it is held by American Deontay Wilder rather than the other three originations that are dominated by giant Ukrainian star Wladimir Klitschko.

Parker remains stable at No 10 with the World Boxing Association.

In the alphabet soup that is the world boxing scene with its many sanctioning organizations, a good global perspective of Parker's standing comes via the independent rankings of BoxRec.com. They have elevated Parker two positions to No 18 among the 1131 fighters they constantly monitor in his division.

Parker, unbeaten through 15 fights with 13 knockouts, is now their highest-ranked boxer from this region, passing rugged Australian Lucas Brown who is at 22.

Parker's next fight is on October 15 in Auckland when he takes on veteran Australian-based Kiwi Kali Meehan. Meehan is ranked No 29 by BoxRec.