Tweet
BOB ARUM: LOMACHENKO-SALIDO II DONE, CRAWFORD AND PARKER TO RETURN IN APRIL
By G. Leon
GL: Can you give us some thoughts on the Parker-Ruiz fight? "It was a good fight, it was very, very close. Two big guys going at it and Parker got the nod. I had the fight scored a draw, but it was a really good fight. Both guys will back, Parker is going to be back to defend his title sometime next year and Ruiz will be in the mix in the heavyweight division." GL: Did you go to New Zealand expecting to sign Parker? "No, but we had been discussing that I would play a role in Parker's promotion, but he's got some great guys working with him over in New Zealand in DUCO, who are his main promoters, but we will handle certain aspects of his career and so I'm very pleased with that."
GL: When do you expect Parker to defend the title?
BA: "In the beginning of April, I believe the exact date will be the 8th of April."
GL: If he successfully defends the title, do you see a unification bout with Wilder taking place in 2017?
BA: "Unifications are for the eastern Europeans, they love unifications and that's fine. If they can make a unification under reasonable economic terms then why not? But to run after a unification when each guy considers themself a champion, the money isn't there to meet their economic demands and I'm not going to chase any. Where is the money supposed to be coming from? I'm not very optimistic about unifications, I'd like them to happen but I can't see how they're going to happen in this economic climate."
GL: When was the last time Top Rank had an interest in a heavyweight champion?
BA: "I think George Foreman."
GL: After not having a heavyweight champion for such a long time does that make working with Parker special to you?
BA: "Of course it means something to me, but it's nothing special, it's just another division in boxing. It's a very interesting division because it's heavyweight and it's always been a glamour division. But to me it's the same thing as a top welterweight fight, or featherweight fight. It's not to me particularly special."
GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?
BA: "I think 2017 is going to be a huge year, absolutely huge. We can't wait to come to Madison Square Garden for our St. Patricks show featuring Nick Conlan on March 17, that should be a blast. Half of Ireland is flying over for that show. I'm very pumped about that. I think we'll have a couple of HBO shows in March and April. We'll have a big show in Macau on April 1 with Zou Shiming and then finally a title defense with Joseph Parker against one of the top contenders like David Price and I'm looking forward to it."
By G. Leon
GL: Can you give us some thoughts on the Parker-Ruiz fight? "It was a good fight, it was very, very close. Two big guys going at it and Parker got the nod. I had the fight scored a draw, but it was a really good fight. Both guys will back, Parker is going to be back to defend his title sometime next year and Ruiz will be in the mix in the heavyweight division." GL: Did you go to New Zealand expecting to sign Parker? "No, but we had been discussing that I would play a role in Parker's promotion, but he's got some great guys working with him over in New Zealand in DUCO, who are his main promoters, but we will handle certain aspects of his career and so I'm very pleased with that."
GL: When do you expect Parker to defend the title?
BA: "In the beginning of April, I believe the exact date will be the 8th of April."
GL: If he successfully defends the title, do you see a unification bout with Wilder taking place in 2017?
BA: "Unifications are for the eastern Europeans, they love unifications and that's fine. If they can make a unification under reasonable economic terms then why not? But to run after a unification when each guy considers themself a champion, the money isn't there to meet their economic demands and I'm not going to chase any. Where is the money supposed to be coming from? I'm not very optimistic about unifications, I'd like them to happen but I can't see how they're going to happen in this economic climate."
GL: When was the last time Top Rank had an interest in a heavyweight champion?
BA: "I think George Foreman."
GL: After not having a heavyweight champion for such a long time does that make working with Parker special to you?
BA: "Of course it means something to me, but it's nothing special, it's just another division in boxing. It's a very interesting division because it's heavyweight and it's always been a glamour division. But to me it's the same thing as a top welterweight fight, or featherweight fight. It's not to me particularly special."
GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?
BA: "I think 2017 is going to be a huge year, absolutely huge. We can't wait to come to Madison Square Garden for our St. Patricks show featuring Nick Conlan on March 17, that should be a blast. Half of Ireland is flying over for that show. I'm very pumped about that. I think we'll have a couple of HBO shows in March and April. We'll have a big show in Macau on April 1 with Zou Shiming and then finally a title defense with Joseph Parker against one of the top contenders like David Price and I'm looking forward to it."
Comment