Former WBO heavyweight champion champion Joseph Parker is being position to return to the ring in the month of August in New Zealand, before an exclusive live crowd.

The event is slated to help the launch of DAZN's streaming service in New Zealand.

Parker's manager, Davis Higgins, is working out the details with the boxer's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom.

At the moment, the most likely opponent is former WBA champion Lucas Browne.

Browne was scheduled to fight back in March, against Apti Davtaev, as part of a Showtime televised card in Las Vegas. The entire event was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Parker was in action back in February, when he traveled to Texas and easily stopped Shawndell Winters in five rounds.

Higgins was hoping to get Parker's rival, undefeated Junior Fa, but he claims Fa's asking price for the contest was "unrealistic."

"Lucas Browne is a much bigger name than Junior Fa," Higgins told Newshub. "He's been in a sold-out O2 arena in London, has a profile in the UK and he's only had a couple of losses to very good opponents."

If a deal is not reached with Browne, Newshub reveals that another option is undefeated Dempsey McKeen, an awkward southpaw from Queensland.

Right now, the local government has a restriction on gatherings, limiting them to no more than 100 people, but Higgins is adamant the event will only go ahead if they can guarantee safety as well as financial viability.