By Duncan Johnstone

Martin Snedden admits he doesn't know much about boxing but he likes what he sees in Joseph Parker and is looking forward to helping guide the Kiwi heavyweight's promising career.

Snedden, the former New Zealand cricket boss and man who was central to New Zealand's successful hosting of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, has just made the intriguing move to join the ranks of top Kiwi sports promotions company Duco Events.

This is the outfit that has Parker on their books and have him on a fast-track up the rankings with the Kiwi now at No 14 in the WBO listings and at 15 with the WBA.

Snedden has been hired as Duco's group chief executive, charged with bringing financial stability to an ambitious outfit that also runs the Auckland Nines league tournament that features all the NRL sides.

Snedden, a former New Zealand test cricketer, brings contacts, legal expertise, respect, administrative clout - and a surprising interest in boxing to his new job.

He is excited at the potential of Parker and eager to being part of the 22-year-old's progress.

"I've always watched the absolute headline acts of boxing," Snedden says when asked of his interest in the ring game.

"It's not something I know a lot about. Look, I won't express an opinion about Joseph's technical skills or otherwise ... but I have spent my life around athletes who have got potential and how they grow that to establish performance.

"I think I can offer some advice in certain areas."

Snedden believes Parker is reflective of Duco - talented with unlimited potential.

"I'm really interested in Joseph Parker and what might happen there," Snedden said, admitting it was one of the lures to get him to join the company.

"You look at him and think he obviously has a hell of a lot of international quality potential but no one knows how far he can go. But everyone believes he can go a long way.

"It's a really nice challenge to work out how to get him from where he is now to a point where he is a genuine title contender.

"There has been a lot of talk about whether he is being pushed too hard, too fast. I think it's good that we can have that debate over him."

Snedden said that in his discussions with Duco ahead of his November 3 start date, it was clear that Parker's progress was being monitored and managed by his American-based trainer Kevin Barry whom he had faith in with Barry's "experience and understanding of the workings of the fight game".

Snedden believed Parker had the personal attributes to go with his undoubted boxing abilities and that was a powerful combination.

"I've only met him once very briefly but I've watched him closely with how he's handled himself while I've been having discussions with Duco about this job. You just can't help but be impressed by Joseph Parker.

"I thought he was very good with his comments in the ring after winning his recent fight in Philadelphia. Normally those sort of interviews are rubbish, but he was clear-headed, answered the questions well and generally handled himself well on an important stage in front of a live American audience."

Snedden will get a chance to see more of Parker soon with Parker fighting Bahamas' Sherman Williams in west Auckland on October 16.