As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, New Zealander Joseph Parker will fight Andy Ruiz in Auckland next month for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) heavyweight title vacated by Tyson Fury, Parker's promoter announced on Tuesday.
After weeks of negotiation, Parker's Duco Events said the fighters will meet at the city's Vector Arena on December 10. On the line is the WBO heavyweight belt, one of the two titles Fury vacated last month in order to seek medical treatment after admitting he took cocaine to treat depression.
Parker, 24, who has a 21-0 record with 18 knockouts, is now the WBO's top-ranked heavyweight. Ruiz, 27, who is Mexican-born but based in the United States, has a 29-0 record with 19 knockouts.
Duco said it would be the first heavyweight title ever contested in New Zealand. The WBO ranks Ruiz as its number three heavyweight behind former champion Wladimir Klitschko.
But the veteran Ukrainian is currently injured and concentrating on lining-up a big-money bout against Britain's IBF champion Anthony Joshua early next year.
Duco said that under the terms of the Auckland fight, the winner of Parker-Ruiz would have to fight the former WBA champion David Haye of London early next year.
Dean Lonergan of Duco believes Haye is an easier opponent than Parker. Haye made his return earlier this year and picked up two easy knockout wins.
Lonergan exclusively told Sky Sports: "We thank the WBO for lining up David Haye. We see that as a much easier fight than Andy Ruiz Jr and once Joseph blasts through Haye, then Joshua will be the next cab off the rank."
"My understanding is [Haye] is the mandatory. What was voted on, was that Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz will fight for the heavyweight world title for the WBO, and the winner will face David Haye. As far as we're concerned, the winner of this fight will be fighting David Haye. Andy Ruiz Jr for Joseph Parker is a pretty tough fight and if Joseph Parker can get through Andy Ruiz, he will blast past David Haye in two or three rounds. For that reason alone, David Haye has no chance of fighting Joseph Parker. Should Joseph Parker defeat Andy Ruiz, we would love that fight."