Last Saturday night, Joseph Parker acknowledged he was beaten by a better champion but the New Zealander insisted he will be back after losing his WBO heavyweight title to Anthony Joshua.

Parker put his WBO belt on the line in Cardiff but he walked away empty-handed as WBA, IBO and IBF champion Joshua prevailed by unanimous decision on Saturday.

Previously unbeaten, Parker forced Joshua to go the 12-round distance for the first time in his career, however the 26-year-old from South Auckland was unable to deliver the knockout blow against his disciplined opponent.

Speaking afterwards, Parker told Sky Sports: "Today I got beaten by a better champion. There's a lot to work on - it's a good experience being here, thank you all for the opportunity, to fight in this big stadium.

"I want to go back, train hard ... and come back stronger. No regrets. We'll be back again. I'd love to have another go - it's just back to the drawing board. Of course [I can become world champion again]. I'm young, fit, strong - I didn't go down. I'm fit to go 12 rounds.He's good - he's a good, big man. He was better on the day, but like I said, I'll be back."

Parker's promoter David Higgins said there was interest in placing his fighter on the undercard of Joshua's next event in the UK.

"We saw what a big deal the Povetkin-Price fight was as the main undercard fight to Parker-Joshua, and a Joshua show has a massive audience. It's about leaving ego out of it," Higgins told The New Zealand Herald.

"August would be about the right time in the UK. Joe has got respect and support in the UK now whereas previously his only market was in New Zealand. I spoke to Eddie Hearn yesterday and he said he would be more than happy to help out with opportunities. There are options. I will talk to [American co-promoter] Bob Arum too and there is always the option of fighting in New Zealand again."

Higgins also revealed that Joshua vs. Parker may have broken the pay-per-view record in New Zealand.

"There is confidentiality around it, but it will probably be No1 for revenue if not buys," Higgins said.

The David Tua v Shane Cameron fight in 2009 holds the pay per view record in New Zealand of more than 80,000 buys.

"Joe will get a well-deserved rest and I feel like I've gone 12 rounds myself so I'm going to lay low for a while," said Higgins. "I'll speak to Joe about what he wants to do. The early indications are that he wants to fight again sooner rather than later."