Duco Events, who promote undefeated Joseph Parker, admit they came awfully close to forfeiting the hosting of his heavyweight title bout.
After extensive discussions with various parties, it's been confirmed the kiwi boxer will take on Mexican-American Andy Ruiz at Auckland's Vector Arena on December 10 for the vacant WBO heavyweight belt.
Duco Events CEO Martin Snedden said there were several times when they considered allowing Ruiz's promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank to take over.
He said the last thing anyone at Duco wants to do is regret on taking enough of a gamble. Snedden said his organisation will be taking on a risk by holding the fight in New Zealand, but it's worth it.
He said the global scale of it is huge, going prime time Australian TV, the United Kingdom and the home of Parker's family in Samoa.
Ruiz is preparing for a war on hostile soil. If he wins, he would make history as the first Mexican fighter to capture the world heavyweight crown.
"I've been training hard for the biggest fight of my career. I'm really exciting to put on a good show there in New Zealand. There's going to be a lot of fireworks there in that fight," Ruiz told Radio Sport.
"We both throw a lot of combinations and I'd like to say I'm going to be a good match-up for Joseph Parker. We are going to see December 10 whose punches land quicker and more explosive and harder. I don't underestimate Joseph Parker at all one bit. He's a big guy, he's fast, he's tall, but I hit hard too. I'm willing to train hard, I'm willing to die in that ring to create history and become the first Mexican world heavyweight champion."
"Yeah [travelling] is a disadvantage. But I'm still going to do what I've got to do ... perform. Hometown advantage is big. But it is what it is, the best man wins. But I'm going to do whatever it takes to win that belt. After this fight it's going to be nothing but the big league [for the winner]."
