What next for Joseph Parker after his demolition of Alexander Dimitrenko?

Joseph Parker's handlers are close to securing a world title fight in New Zealand with a date agreed for December 10.

The fight would be against Mexican Andy Ruiz, though its world title status is dependent on the WBO belt being stripped from struggling champion Tyson Fury.

That seems inevitable as Fury battles with alleged drug and mental health issues. He has stepped away from the ring, pulling out of a scheduled rematch with former champion Wladimir Klitschko for a second time.

One News Now Andy Ruiz may be called a slob by his promoter, but he knows how to throw all his weight behind a punch as Joe Hanks found out in 2013.

Fight negotiations have advanced rapidly in several areas since Parker destroyed Russian Alexander Dimitrenko inside three rounds in Auckland last Saturday night. Parker's handlers told Stuff the Ruiz deal was "95 per cent done".

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* Parker wants title fight in NZ

* How it happened: Joseph Parker's dominating victory

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PHOTOSPORT New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker gets in a tangle with Russia's Alexander Dimitrenko on his way to a knockout victory that has set up a possible world title shot in New Zealand.

Parker's bosses at Duco Events, Dean Lonergan and David Higgins, are eager to maximise the chance of bringing a world title fight to New Zealand, a plan they hatched last week.

Lonergan told Stuff he and Ruiz's promoter Bob Arum had been in "meaningful discussions" over the weekend. They have agreed to a date and are "close on money".

Arum is a hugely influential figure in the game as founder and CEO of Top Rank, one of boxing's biggest promotions company. Arum is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

ONE NEWS NOW Parker’s promoter Dean Lonergan says a fight for the WBO title against Mexican Andy Ruiz is looking very likely.

In a deeply political sport, Arum is seen as having the ability to entice the WBO to open up a vacant belt to two of the most exciting young fighters in the division in the form of Parker and Ruiz.

Parker is ranked No 1 and Ruiz No 3 with the WBO. Klitschko is No 2 but is being courted by Anthony Joshua to fight for the IBF title and possibly the WBA belt in Manchester on November 26.

Parker has the mandatory right to fight Joshua as the IBF No 1 but he and his promoters like the alternative option of a WBO title fight against Ruiz, particularly on Kiwi shores.

Bringing the fight to New Zealand would require major sponsorship and secondary money.

They believe the historic nature of the fight will help that cause.

While they see Auckland has having the corporate market and population to make it favoured to host the fight - possibly outdoors at Eden Park or Albany Stadium, or indoors at Vector Arena - they remain open to looking at alternatives down the country and will see what rival cities can offer.

Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn felt Lonergan had some "interesting" decisions to make as the current game was being played out of the ring. The promoters are in a game of poker such is the fluid nature of the division. Hearn has the IBF belt to lay on the table but the stakes rise when the WBO and WBA belts are added. It's a matter of who can get their hands on them to bring them into play.

Hearn said talks with Klitschko's management left him feeling a fight was "60-40" in favouring of being sealed and confirmed that was his preference over Parker.

Hearn spoke highly of Parker's win over Dimitrenko, telling Sky Sports, who showed the New Zealand fight in the UK: "It was a good performance, Parker doing what he does. He's a good mover and does what he does. Dimitrenko swallowed it - I don't think he fancied it too much in the third round.

"Parker is No 1 in the IBF and No 1 in the WBO. Obviously, we've had some great chats with their team and it's a fight that can be made but I don't know whether they'll be thinking to fight Joshua for the IBF or waiting to see what happens with the WBO.

"Will they fight Andy Ruiz? Maybe Wladimir Klitschko is talking to them as well. Our priority at the moment is to fight Klitschko for all the belts. Once we get a deal in place, which I'm confident of, then it's a case of going to the governing bodies and asking if they want it for their world title. I would think most would say 'yes please'.

"Parker has an interesting proposition. Does he hang tight? Does he wait? Does he take the fight with Joshua if we don't fight Klitschko? There are so many different connotations as always in boxing."

Parker has indicated he'd prefer to fight for the title in New Zealand if a deal can be made.

"We'd love to bring it to New Zealand to give back to our supporters who we have been with since day one. But it's all about sitting down and seeing what opportunities arise."