Joseph Parker will be busy making the maiden defense of his WBO heavyweight title against late-replacement Razvan Cojanu on Saturday, but the unbeaten New Zealander is already looking to the future.

Parker, who is rated No. 4 by THE RING at heavyweight, watched Anthony Joshua get off the floor to stop Wladimir Klitschko in 11 rounds at the weekend and has acknowledged that the IBF and WBA titleholder is now the glamour division’s alpha-dog.

“Joshua is the man to beat, so I am looking forward to sitting down and planning a fight with him in the future.” Parker told Sky Sports in the U.K.

In December, Parker scored a 12-round majority decision over the previously unbeaten Andy Ruiz to win his title and, like Joshua, has ambitions to unify. However, the 25-year-old boxer-puncher admitted that he is yet to reach his full potential.

“Joshua thinks he’s still got a lot to work on and, like myself, I’ve got a lot to work on as well,” said Parker. “Every fighter has things to work on; weaknesses, strengths and I feel I need to get past this next fight.

“There is a goal: show people I belong at the top and am one of the best heavyweights out there. I just have to focus on what’s in front of me. The goal was to become champion of the world but now it is ticked off there is still more to achieve.”

Parker had originally been scheduled to face British contender Hughie Fury, who pulled out due to injury.

Tom Gray is a UK Correspondent/ Editor for RingTV.com and a member of THE RING ratings panel.  Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing

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