10-12-2016, 12:34 PM
Joseph Parker versus Andy Ruiz inches closer as positive talks on world heavyweight title fight continue
It's "V for Victory" as Joseph parker's unbeaten run has him in line for a shot at a world title.
Joseph Parker's handlers are making increased progress with a planned world title fight against Andy Ruiz in New Zealand and are hopeful it will happen "this side of Christmas".
Duco Events boss Dean Lonergan has had further positive talks with Ruiz's promoter Bob Arum and the fight date remains the only real sticking point.
There's also the important factor of having the WBO belt up for grabs but that seems a formality with champion Tyson Fury indicating he may even relinquish it before it is stripped off him for his repeated violations.
Lonergan wants the fight in December and Arum prefers January.
"I think we will reach a compromise," Lonergan said after his latest chat with the amiable American.
"We are closing in on a deal. But it's not a deal in this business until it's signed."
Ruiz's problem is his trainer Abel Sanchez also looks after world world middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin who is set to fight on December 10 which was the preferred date for the Parker fight.
"Bob has to talk to Andy and his trainer. It's a matter of how we make this work from here," Lonergan said.
Duco want the fight staged before the New Zealand holiday period starts and the corporate audience, so essential to the economics of the promotion, desert Auckland which is the most likely venue.
Lonergan said there was an absolute willingness by Arum to see the fight in New Zealand and the purse money "wasn't an issue".
Arum, who has massive sway with the WBO, agreed with Duco that the real belt had to be on the line, not an interim title which was one suggestion doing the rounds as the demise of Fury plays out.
"We are only doing this for the full WBO title," Lonergan emphasised.
There is a growing feeling that the troubled Fury could be given a "champion in recess" status which would allow him to challenge for the belt once he regained his mental and physical fitness.
Lonergan wasn't against that should Parker win the coveted title.
"I'd be relaxed about that and I have no doubt Joe and trainer Kevin Barry would be too," Lonergan said.
"There is a theory in boxing that you aren't the champion till you beat the champion.
"But who knows what is going to happen? Who knows how long Tyson Fury will be out? This is a rapidly changing scene but it's also a very exciting one and we are well placed."
Lonergan heads to the United Sates on Wednesday night. He will continue discussions with Arum ahead of next week's WBO annual conference in Puerto Rico which he will attend.
Parker also has mandatory rights to the IBF title held by Anthony Joshua who is lining up to fight Wladimir Klitschko with Fury's WBA belt likely to be added to that mix.
If Parker's fight against Ruiz can't be nailed down, waiting to take on the winner of Joshua v Klitschko early next year is a viable option.
Parker has returned to Las Vegas to resume training as he awaits his fighting future to unfold.
- Stuff
It's "V for Victory" as Joseph parker's unbeaten run has him in line for a shot at a world title.
Joseph Parker's handlers are making increased progress with a planned world title fight against Andy Ruiz in New Zealand and are hopeful it will happen "this side of Christmas".
Duco Events boss Dean Lonergan has had further positive talks with Ruiz's promoter Bob Arum and the fight date remains the only real sticking point.
There's also the important factor of having the WBO belt up for grabs but that seems a formality with champion Tyson Fury indicating he may even relinquish it before it is stripped off him for his repeated violations.
Lonergan wants the fight in December and Arum prefers January.
"I think we will reach a compromise," Lonergan said after his latest chat with the amiable American.
"We are closing in on a deal. But it's not a deal in this business until it's signed."
Ruiz's problem is his trainer Abel Sanchez also looks after world world middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin who is set to fight on December 10 which was the preferred date for the Parker fight.
"Bob has to talk to Andy and his trainer. It's a matter of how we make this work from here," Lonergan said.
Duco want the fight staged before the New Zealand holiday period starts and the corporate audience, so essential to the economics of the promotion, desert Auckland which is the most likely venue.
Lonergan said there was an absolute willingness by Arum to see the fight in New Zealand and the purse money "wasn't an issue".
Arum, who has massive sway with the WBO, agreed with Duco that the real belt had to be on the line, not an interim title which was one suggestion doing the rounds as the demise of Fury plays out.
"We are only doing this for the full WBO title," Lonergan emphasised.
There is a growing feeling that the troubled Fury could be given a "champion in recess" status which would allow him to challenge for the belt once he regained his mental and physical fitness.
Lonergan wasn't against that should Parker win the coveted title.
"I'd be relaxed about that and I have no doubt Joe and trainer Kevin Barry would be too," Lonergan said.
"There is a theory in boxing that you aren't the champion till you beat the champion.
"But who knows what is going to happen? Who knows how long Tyson Fury will be out? This is a rapidly changing scene but it's also a very exciting one and we are well placed."
Lonergan heads to the United Sates on Wednesday night. He will continue discussions with Arum ahead of next week's WBO annual conference in Puerto Rico which he will attend.
Parker also has mandatory rights to the IBF title held by Anthony Joshua who is lining up to fight Wladimir Klitschko with Fury's WBA belt likely to be added to that mix.
If Parker's fight against Ruiz can't be nailed down, waiting to take on the winner of Joshua v Klitschko early next year is a viable option.
Parker has returned to Las Vegas to resume training as he awaits his fighting future to unfold.
- Stuff