By Liam Napier

If the price is right, Kevin Barry is keen for Joseph Parker to fight Kali Meehan this year.

Trouble is the Parker and Meehan camps appear poles apart about a fair and reasonable purse.

In far more respectful tones than adopted earlier by Duco Events promoter Dean Lonergan, Barry suggested a Meehan fight made sense for Parker, but only if a reasonable payday could be agreed.

"Kali Meehan has been a great fighter over the years and I don't think he's had the respect he deserves," Barry said.

"Kali is a big, strong, durable fighter. It would be fair to say his best fights are behind him.

"After his last performance, beating Shane Cameron, I think it's a good fight for Joe.

"Kali is a good puncher. He has a sneaky right hand, but I don't think he can match Joe for hand speed."

The convoluted boxing world is no more evident than in this instance.

The Parker camp say Meehan requested a $400,000 purse for what would probably be the 44-year-old's final chapter. Meehan's manager, Adam Watt, says they wouldn't consider any offer under $100,000 - unless Duco were prepared to provide an even split of pay-per-view revenue. And it's understood Duco made an initial approach for around $65,000.

"The upside is all for Kali. It's a fight that can only be made if he's going to be realistic as far as purse is concerned," Barry said.

"I've been told all sorts of ridiculous numbers - that he wanted $400,000 to fight Joe.

"As long as his team keep asking for those sorts of numbers the fight will never happen, but it's a fight we would take in a heartbeat. It could be our next fight.

"If they want to come in with a sensible number we can make the fight. These are fights Joe develops, grows and learns a lot from. That's why I'd seriously look at Kali."

As usual, Parker is the man in the middle. For now his focus is knocking out Jason Pettaway tomorrow night in Auckland.

"I have a lot of respect for Kali and what he's done for the sport," Parker said.

"He beat Shane Cameron and if Duco decide, with myself and Kevin, that it's the right fight, we'll definitely sit down and work it out."

Watt said yesterday that Meehan was happy to fight an exhibition bout and allow Parker to retain his ranking, no matter what the result.

"Kali is saying I'm ready to pass it on but you've got to be good enough to take it from me. It's a great fight for everyone," Watt said.

"Joseph owes it to himself to fight Kali.

"If he doesn't want to take the gift of respect we're giving him, so be it. If he wants to duck and weave and build a ranking, go for gold. You can bring out all the Jason Pettaways you want. It doesn't help you when you're in against a serious guy.

"We definitely want the fight, but anything under $100,000 we won't even look at."

Watt was left fuming after Lonergan claimed last week Meehan offered Parker "nothing". He subsequently sent Lonergan a fiery email which challenged him to "put his money where his mouth is".

"When referencing Kali Meehan you must understand that you are not promoting a celebrity contest. Nor are you dealing with the kind of slobs which have recently been promoted as contenders, under the banner of boxing," Watt said in his email.

"Provide your fighter, if you dare, an opportunity to gain what no ranking will ever offer - respect."