10-28-2016, 12:59 PM
Duco withdraw application for government funding for Joseph Parker title fight
New Zealand boxer Joseph Parker has earned a shot at the WBO heavyweight title.
Duco Events have withdrawn their application for public funding to help host Kiwi heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker's world title fight in New Zealand.
Parker's promoters had been seeking investment from the government's Major Events fund, but have dropped their application because it had become a political football and too much of a distraction.
Duco still hoped to host the WBO title fight between Parker and Mexico's John Ruiz in New Zealand, but Friday's announcement meant they were no longer seeking taxpayer assistance to meet the costs of doing so.
Duco said they hoped to make an announcement next week on whether they would be able to raise the funds needed to secure the hosting rights for a New Zealand fight night.
READ MORE:
* Parker 'like prime Holyfield'
* Boxing makes brains bleed - FitzSimons
* Where government major event funding goes
* Why NZ should pay for the Parker title fight
The fight was officially sanctioned by the WBO last week, with the organisation anxious to to get their heavyweight belt active again.
The WBO title hasn't been fought for since Tyson Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko in Germany last November. Fury handed over both the WBO and WBA belts earlier this month as his battles with depression and drug use escalated.
Parker has been training in Las Vegas since his three-round demolition of Russian Alexander Dimitrenko in Auckland on October 1.
Ruiz has been on a similar training schedule at altitude in Big Bear, California.
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The 24-year-old Parker is unbeaten over 21 fights with 18 knockouts. The 27-year-old Ruiz is unbeaten over 29 fights with 19 knockouts.
It's a chance at history for both fighters.
No New Zealand-born fighter has won a world heavyweight title and despite Mexico's proud boxing record, they have never had a heavyweight champion either.
- Stuff
New Zealand boxer Joseph Parker has earned a shot at the WBO heavyweight title.
Duco Events have withdrawn their application for public funding to help host Kiwi heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker's world title fight in New Zealand.
Parker's promoters had been seeking investment from the government's Major Events fund, but have dropped their application because it had become a political football and too much of a distraction.
Duco still hoped to host the WBO title fight between Parker and Mexico's John Ruiz in New Zealand, but Friday's announcement meant they were no longer seeking taxpayer assistance to meet the costs of doing so.
Duco said they hoped to make an announcement next week on whether they would be able to raise the funds needed to secure the hosting rights for a New Zealand fight night.
READ MORE:
* Parker 'like prime Holyfield'
* Boxing makes brains bleed - FitzSimons
* Where government major event funding goes
* Why NZ should pay for the Parker title fight
The fight was officially sanctioned by the WBO last week, with the organisation anxious to to get their heavyweight belt active again.
The WBO title hasn't been fought for since Tyson Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko in Germany last November. Fury handed over both the WBO and WBA belts earlier this month as his battles with depression and drug use escalated.
Parker has been training in Las Vegas since his three-round demolition of Russian Alexander Dimitrenko in Auckland on October 1.
Ruiz has been on a similar training schedule at altitude in Big Bear, California.
Ad Feedback
The 24-year-old Parker is unbeaten over 21 fights with 18 knockouts. The 27-year-old Ruiz is unbeaten over 29 fights with 19 knockouts.
It's a chance at history for both fighters.
No New Zealand-born fighter has won a world heavyweight title and despite Mexico's proud boxing record, they have never had a heavyweight champion either.
- Stuff