06-26-2018, 11:55 AM
David Higgins demands world class referee for Joseph Parker's London fight with Dillian Whyte
Italian referee Giuseppe Quartarone hardly allowed any up close rumbling in Joseph Parker's loss to Anthony Joshua in ...
David Higgins has launched another attack on British boxing officials demanding a world class referee handle Joseph Parker's crucial comeback fight with Dillian Whyte in London.
Parker and Whyte square off on July 29 (NZT) in a fight that will send the winner to the brink of a title fight while the loser will face a career rebuild.
With the stakes so high Higgins doesn't want to see the referee become such a focus as they were for Parker's recent British fights against Hughie Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Eddie Hearn, Dillian Whyte, Joseph Parker and David Higgins have stitched together a huge fight deal for London in July that Higgins wants to see controlled properly in the ring.
Kiwi promoter Higgins had to work overtime to have the British referee changed for the Fury bout and Italian Giuseppe Quartarone's handling of the unification fight with Joshua has been universally condemned.
"Twice we have come to the UK and twice the officiating has involved a level of disgrace," Higgins told Sky Sports in the UK who will again be the host broadcaster.
"There is probably a handful of referees in the world, maybe half a dozen, four or six that are considered the best in the world. Everyone knows who they are, so why for a heavyweight unification [did] they choose an obscure Italian, who has mostly officiated lighter weights?
"It was appalling. He didn't let the boxers engage and fight properly.
"They are on notice. We would like to see the British Boxing Board of Control and the officials selected be competent, experienced, well-known professionals. Ideally neutral with a good track record. We hope that's not too much to ask."
Higgins described New Zealanders has fair-minded people who believe in a level playing field and wants that reciprocated on the other side of the world.
"It's in our culture, we expect the same wherever we go," he said, adding that he felt the British Board of Control "is probably one of the most respected boxing commissions in the world".
The British authority responded by promising "world class" officials for the fight.
Robert Smith, general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, told Sky Sports: "The British Boxing Board of Control will make the appropriate appointments in due course for a very important fight for both boxers, and the officials appointed will be world class."
The fight will be shown in New Zealand on Sky Sport's pay-per-view channel with the price set at $49.99.
That's the same price as Parker's huge global fight with Joshua but the Whyte fight promises more action given the aggressive approach of the Londoner and there is also a classy undercard.
- Stuff
Italian referee Giuseppe Quartarone hardly allowed any up close rumbling in Joseph Parker's loss to Anthony Joshua in ...
David Higgins has launched another attack on British boxing officials demanding a world class referee handle Joseph Parker's crucial comeback fight with Dillian Whyte in London.
Parker and Whyte square off on July 29 (NZT) in a fight that will send the winner to the brink of a title fight while the loser will face a career rebuild.
With the stakes so high Higgins doesn't want to see the referee become such a focus as they were for Parker's recent British fights against Hughie Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Eddie Hearn, Dillian Whyte, Joseph Parker and David Higgins have stitched together a huge fight deal for London in July that Higgins wants to see controlled properly in the ring.
Kiwi promoter Higgins had to work overtime to have the British referee changed for the Fury bout and Italian Giuseppe Quartarone's handling of the unification fight with Joshua has been universally condemned.
"Twice we have come to the UK and twice the officiating has involved a level of disgrace," Higgins told Sky Sports in the UK who will again be the host broadcaster.
"There is probably a handful of referees in the world, maybe half a dozen, four or six that are considered the best in the world. Everyone knows who they are, so why for a heavyweight unification [did] they choose an obscure Italian, who has mostly officiated lighter weights?
"It was appalling. He didn't let the boxers engage and fight properly.
"They are on notice. We would like to see the British Boxing Board of Control and the officials selected be competent, experienced, well-known professionals. Ideally neutral with a good track record. We hope that's not too much to ask."
Higgins described New Zealanders has fair-minded people who believe in a level playing field and wants that reciprocated on the other side of the world.
"It's in our culture, we expect the same wherever we go," he said, adding that he felt the British Board of Control "is probably one of the most respected boxing commissions in the world".
The British authority responded by promising "world class" officials for the fight.
Robert Smith, general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, told Sky Sports: "The British Boxing Board of Control will make the appropriate appointments in due course for a very important fight for both boxers, and the officials appointed will be world class."
The fight will be shown in New Zealand on Sky Sport's pay-per-view channel with the price set at $49.99.
That's the same price as Parker's huge global fight with Joshua but the Whyte fight promises more action given the aggressive approach of the Londoner and there is also a classy undercard.
- Stuff