10-21-2016, 11:05 AM
It’s official. Parker versus Ruiz for vacant WBO title in New Zealand
By David Finger
The biggest story out of the WBO Convention in San Juan Puerto Rico came this morning at the championship and ratings committee meeting. Although there was talk of a possible four-man tournament to fill the recently vacated heavyweight title, which was surrendered by Tyson Fury, Carl Moretti of Top Rank and Parker’s promoter Dean Lonergan announced that the box off was not necessary. They announced that there was an agreement reached for #3 ranked Andy Ruiz to take on #1 Joseph Parker in New Zealand in December and that the winner would accept any mandatory set forth by the WBO for their first title defense.
“The winner of this fight will fight anyone that the WBO decrees to fight next,” Moretti said.
When asked if this included a 120-day deadline both Moretti and Lonergan said that was more than acceptable.
“We are happy with that,” Lonergan said before Moretti added that a 120-day deadline for a mandatory was “no problem.”
Promoter Frank Warren was agreeable as well, asking that the WBO mandate that the winner fight #4 ranked David Haye in that 120-day time frame. He also asked that Tyson Fury be considered as a mandatory after he was medically fit to return to boxing.
“I’m very happy with that,” Lonergan added when asked about a mandatory defense against Tyson Fury upon his return.
The WBO Championship Committee voted unanimously to approve Ruiz and Parker for the vacant WBO heavyweight title, ending speculation as to the status of the vacant heavyweight title.
By David Finger
The biggest story out of the WBO Convention in San Juan Puerto Rico came this morning at the championship and ratings committee meeting. Although there was talk of a possible four-man tournament to fill the recently vacated heavyweight title, which was surrendered by Tyson Fury, Carl Moretti of Top Rank and Parker’s promoter Dean Lonergan announced that the box off was not necessary. They announced that there was an agreement reached for #3 ranked Andy Ruiz to take on #1 Joseph Parker in New Zealand in December and that the winner would accept any mandatory set forth by the WBO for their first title defense.
“The winner of this fight will fight anyone that the WBO decrees to fight next,” Moretti said.
When asked if this included a 120-day deadline both Moretti and Lonergan said that was more than acceptable.
“We are happy with that,” Lonergan said before Moretti added that a 120-day deadline for a mandatory was “no problem.”
Promoter Frank Warren was agreeable as well, asking that the WBO mandate that the winner fight #4 ranked David Haye in that 120-day time frame. He also asked that Tyson Fury be considered as a mandatory after he was medically fit to return to boxing.
“I’m very happy with that,” Lonergan added when asked about a mandatory defense against Tyson Fury upon his return.
The WBO Championship Committee voted unanimously to approve Ruiz and Parker for the vacant WBO heavyweight title, ending speculation as to the status of the vacant heavyweight title.