By Edward Chaykovsky
Duco Events' Dean Lonergan, who promotes undefeated heavyweight Joseph Parker, has already been talks with Top Rank to scheduled a potential fight with Andy Ruiz Jr. for the vacant WBO heavyweight title - if current world champion Tyson Fury is stripped.
Fury, who captured the title last November with an upset decision over Wladimir Klitschko, has withdrawn from two scheduled rematch dates with the Ukrainian fighter, and on Friday it was revealed that he tested positive for cocaine during a random drug test issued by VADA on September 22nd. The WBO is potentially going to strip him - leaving the two highest ranked contenders, Parker and Ruiz, to fight for the vacant belt.
Parker is the IBF's mandatory challenger to champion Anthony Joshua, who fights on November 26th and has yet to secure an opponent.
Parker must first defeat giant-sized Alexander Dimitrenko on Saturday night, before reviewing the options to determine which direction he will go in.
Lonergan exclusively told Sky Sports: "I spoke to [Top Rank matchmaker] Bruce Trampler today who informed me that Andy Ruiz Jr, his trainer, and his promoter Bob Arum are all keen to have Andy fight Joseph Parker for the WBO title, should Tyson Fury be stripped. I am going to speak with Bob Arum and Bruce Trampler on Saturday to progress the Andy Ruiz talks to the point where a deal can be done."
The fight with Ruiz, if it actually goes down for the WBO belt, would be a very historic occasion back in New Zealand.
"In 120 years of heavyweight boxing, a New Zealand-born fighter has never fought for a world title on his home soil," said Lonergan. "This would be a historic moment in New Zealand sporting history and something that is growing more appealing by the day. Joseph Parker remains the mandatory to fight Anthony Joshua and we believe that would be a massive fight. But the opportunity to make sporting history by bringing the first world heavyweight title fight to New Zealand is hugely enticing."
