Parker's Promoter Issues Firm Warning For Officials To Be Fair

By Terence Dooley

David Higgins believes that he has landed a pre-fight blow to WBA Super World, IBF World and IBO title-holder Anthony Joshua’s team by ensuring that three of the officials for his bout against Joseph Parker at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales are neutral. 

Higgins promotes the WBO holder and he also campaigned for a neutral referee and judges when his charge fought Hughie Fury in Manchester in September after learning that Britain's Marcus McDonnell would be the third man. 

This time, though, Team Parker has managed to secure a judge from New Zealand in Ian Scott, an American judge, Steve Weisfeld, and the fight will be referred by Italy’s Giuseppe Quartarone, with the UK’s Steve Gray named as the third judge.

“The judges, referees, they do it for the love of it and a free trip,” said Higgins when speaking to Ron Lewis of The Times.  “But on an occasion this big, if they were to favour Joshua unfairly, it would be seen as disgraceful and their careers would be in jeopardy.  So that gives us some safety.”

He added: “A lot of Joshua's opponents have bowed down and formed a master-slave relationship.  They're offered a title shot by Eddie Hearn and I think they see it as, one, maybe the only title shot they will ever get and, two, the relatively small purse could be their biggest-ever payday.  They'll take it, be very polite and not criticise Joshua.  It's all very nice and builds their brand.  We're not here for the pay cheque.  We're not in a position where we quietly have to thank them for the opportunity and take their first offer.  Joseph is here to unify the division.

In September, the use of English officials became a moot point after Parker earned a Majority Decision win over Fury, who disputed the verdict. 

However, it was a point of contention and discussion in the days prior to the fight so Parker’s team will be glad to have settled the issue well in advance of a contest that will partially unify the heavyweight division and could propel the winner into a fight with American’s WBC holder Deontay Wilder.

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