The discussions continue for a heavyweight showdown between New Zealand rivals Joseph Parker (27-2) and Junior Fa (19-0).
Both boxers are ranked within the top ten of the WBO, with Parker at #2 and Fa at #6.
Parker’s manager, David Higgins, has explained that they are still trying to work out the financial aspects of the deal, but the two sides are getting closer.
If a deal is reached, Queenstown Events Centre and Dunedin’s indoor Forsyth Barr Stadium could be in play to host the fight. And Auckland venues would be explored as well.
“It's by no means confirmed, but it's closer. There’s a few things it hinges on. One is closing the monetary gap between the Parker side and the Fa side. There's still a bit of dispute over the money, but that being said it's getting a bit closer,” Higgins said to Stuff.
“We've had discussions with the good people of Queenstown, lovely place. We'd love to have a fight there at some point, so that's a possibility. Auckland is always a possibility. We're open-minded. There's a roof on the stadium in Dunedin, so Dunedin could be a wildcard option too with the capacity and the roof.”
Parker was in action back in February in Texas, when he stopped Shawndell Winters. Fa had his last bout in November when he defeated Devin Vargas.
Higgins believes the heavyweight clash would be bigger than the 2009 showdown between David Tua and Shane Cameron.
“This is up there because it's got those magic ingredients. It's got two stars. Junior Fa is now becoming a household name. Joseph Parker is a household name. You've got parochialism. A Kiwi of Tongan descent (Fa) versus a Kiwi of Samoan descent (Parker). People will pick their sides," Higgins said.
“It's competitive. Some people think Junior Fa can beat Joseph, he is unbeaten. Then Joseph Parker obviously has his fans. Then you've got credibility in that they're both ranked top 10 in the world. It would be a massive match-up, probably the biggest this country has seen because it's unprecedented and never before have we had two heavyweights in their prime, both ranked in the top 10 in the world in the WBO."
