Parker vs. Fury - Several Locations Being Mulled To Host Fight
By Edward Chaykovsky
There is heavy interest coming in to host the heavyweight clash between WBO world champion Joseph Parker and undefeated Hughie Fury.
According to Parker's promoter, David Higgins of Duco Events, they have even received an offer from Singapore to host the fight at a local casino.
Duco Events secured the promotional rights last week after winning the WBO's purse bid with a big amount of $3,000,011. Based on the WBO's purse split, both boxers will see a seven figure sum with a 60-40 split of pot in the champion's favor.
At the WBO's purse bid, Higgins' company was forced to give a date and a venue - which they stamped down for April 1 in New Zealand.
But the fight may head elsewhere - it all depends on the money. It could be in Fury's backyard of Manchester or Samoa for Parker, or even neutral ground if the money is right.
"We've had an enquiry out of Singapore about taking it to a casino," Higgins said to Sky Sports. "In Manchester, Fury's hometown, the fans buy tickets big.
"The fight won't necessarily be in New Zealand. When you prepare a purse bid, you have to put a proposed date and location. But now our job is see if we can make it stack up here. But we would like to hold it here. So our job over the coming two weeks is to see if we can make it work.
"Winning the purse bid you hold all the cards, losing the purse bid you lose all the cards, so the stakes were very high. f the Samoan government stepped up with a big, big investment it would be like the Thrilla in Manila. There would be thousands of visitors into Samoa. That could happen one day, maybe not now. It would take a serious amount of money but the return on the investment would be substantial."
The WBO title was previously held by Hughie's cousin, Tyson Fury, who vacated the belt to deal with his mental health. The vacant title was captured last December by Parker, after winning a close majority decision over Andy Ruiz in Auckland.
