After protracted contract negotiations, Englishman Hughie Fury has signed on to fight Joseph Parker for the WBO heavyweight title, likely in Auckland in April.

New Zealand's WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker will put his belt on the line against Tyson Fury's cousin, Hughie.

Boxing promoter Frank Warren confirmed via Twitter on Friday (Saturday NZ Time) that a contract has been signed for Hughie Fury to challenge Parker.

PHOTOSPORT Joseph Parker claimed the WBO heavyweight title belt in December after a split points decision against Andy Ruiz.

Both fighters are unbeaten, with Fury 20-0 with 10 knockouts and Parker 22-0 with 18 knockouts, including a win over Andy Ruiz - on a majority decision in October to capture the WBO belt vacated by Tyson Fury.

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No details were given about the fight - which could take place in Auckland - although it is understood that a date in April is preferred by Duco Events, which won the purse bid for the fight earlier this month.

On Friday, Duco Events boss David Higgins welcomed the WBO deadline to "flush out" Fury for his mandatory challenge against Parker.

Fury was in danger of losing his title shot if he didn't quickly sign the fight contract.

The WBO was tiring of the protracted contract negotiations between the two camps and set a deadline for Fury to sign or they would consider allowing Parker a voluntary defence.

Tyson Fury stunned the boxing world by beating Wladimir Klitschko to take the WBA, IBF and WBO belts in November 2015. He hasn't fought since and is taking time away from the sport to focus on treatment and recovery from drug use and other personal problems that forced him to relinquish his titles.

The Parker bout will be Hughie Fury's first shot at a world title.