By Miguel Rivera

BoxingScene.com was advised by World Boxing Organization President Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel that Duco Events submitted and won Friday's purse bid to secure the promotional rights to the mandatory fight between WBO heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker (22-0, 18KO's) and top challenger Hughie Fury (20-0, 10KO's).

The purse bid took place at the Hotel Verdanza in Isla Verde, Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Duco Events submitted an insured purse of $3,011,000, where Parker will receive $ 1,806,600.00 (60%) and Fury will get $ 1,204,400 (40%). The minimum bid accepted was $1,000,000.00 (one million dollars). Duco co-promotes Parker with Top Rank. Fury is handled by Frank Warren.

A date of April 1 was submitted and the location is Auckland, New Zealand.

"This purse bid is being carried out because the parties could not agree," said Valcarcel. "A representative from New Zealand and one from London came over. The people of Duco offered $3,011,000 and Frank Warren offered $2,800,000, so it was awarded to Duco."

Parker, a native of New Zealand, won the vacant world championship last December in his country, with a majority decision over previously undefeated Andy Ruiz. Meanwhile, Fury, a native of England, was crowned the Intercontinental champion last April by winning a technical decision over seven episodes against veteran Fred Kassi.

The belt became vacant when Fury's cousin, Tyson Fury, vacated the title last fall. Tyson captured the title with a shocking twelve round decision over Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015. A rematch was never held as Fury postponed two planned dates and then vacated to focus on his mental health issues. Once he vacated, the WBO ordered Parker and Ruiz to battle for the vacant belt.

The original mandatory challenger was David Haye, but he went in another direction by accepting a Sky Sports Pay-Per-View showdown with WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, who is moving up in weight, on March 4th.