01-11-2017, 04:14 PM
Joseph Parker's handlers eager to start talks with Deontay Wilder over unification bout
Parker's first title defence is all "a matter of risk and reward".
Joseph Parker's handlers are eager to discuss a unification fight with Deontay Wilder after the WBC champion signalled strong interest in fighting New Zealand's world champion.
American Wilder, on the comeback from hand surgery, defends his title against Poland's Andrezj Wawrzyk on February 25 in Alabama.
He told a US media outlet he was then keen to fight Parker in April when the Kiwi, who holds the WBO belt, is set to return to action.
Joseph Parker's handlers are keen to see if Deontay Wilder is a viable option for a quick unification bout.
"I want that fight (Parker) next," Wilder said.
"If all goes well with this fight, I wouldn't mind turning right around and coming back and fighting Joseph Parker to unify the division with his WBO belt and my WBC belt, and do it that way ..., I definitely want it."
Wilder's attitude has been welcomed by Duco Events co-owner David Higgins who is now attempting to reach out to Wilder's promoter Al Haymon to open discussions.
The fight gives Duco options. They had already spoken of a desire to fight Wilder later in the year but are open to pushing it quicker if the circumstances are favourable.
They have been pursuing British rival Hughie Fury, who believes he is the WBO mandatory, and gives them a door to the lucrative British market.
"We're yet to get a ruling on the mandatory but a unification bout trumps the mandatory anyway," Higgins told Fairfax.
"But we like what Wilder is saying. He is of the same view as us ... the heavyweight division needs to unify the champions."
The 2.01m Wilder (37-0 with 36 KOs) is a far tougher proposition than Fury (20-0 with 10 KOs) and Higgins and Team Parker need to decide if that size of a challenge comes too quickly after winning the vacated WBO belt last month.
"It's all a matter of risk and reward," Higgins said of weighing up the options for Parker's first title defence.
"But a risky fight is worth it if the circumstances are right."
A unification bout would certainly carry more financial reward for both fighters.
Higgins indicated that Haymon was notoriously difficult to contact.
"The key guy is Al Haymon and we are yet to hear from him in terms of making a deal. So to Al Hayman, if you are serious about Wilder and Joseph, please give us a call.
"It might be that Wilder wants the fight and Haymon doesn't. But Wilder's comments were pretty straightforward and I think he deserves credit for wanting to pursue that."
Wilder will see Parker as an easier unification bout than taking on the winner of the Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko fight that has the IBF and WBA belts up for grabs in London in April.
From there the winners of these two fights would be able to set up a massive unification bout with all four belts on the line and recognition as the undisputed champion.
Higgins said there was no rush to get a fight organised for the moment. Duco had shown with their last minute deal to get the title fight between Parker and Andy Ruiz in Auckland that they could turn around promotions quickly and successfully.
- Stuff
Parker's first title defence is all "a matter of risk and reward".
Joseph Parker's handlers are eager to discuss a unification fight with Deontay Wilder after the WBC champion signalled strong interest in fighting New Zealand's world champion.
American Wilder, on the comeback from hand surgery, defends his title against Poland's Andrezj Wawrzyk on February 25 in Alabama.
He told a US media outlet he was then keen to fight Parker in April when the Kiwi, who holds the WBO belt, is set to return to action.
Joseph Parker's handlers are keen to see if Deontay Wilder is a viable option for a quick unification bout.
"I want that fight (Parker) next," Wilder said.
"If all goes well with this fight, I wouldn't mind turning right around and coming back and fighting Joseph Parker to unify the division with his WBO belt and my WBC belt, and do it that way ..., I definitely want it."
Wilder's attitude has been welcomed by Duco Events co-owner David Higgins who is now attempting to reach out to Wilder's promoter Al Haymon to open discussions.
The fight gives Duco options. They had already spoken of a desire to fight Wilder later in the year but are open to pushing it quicker if the circumstances are favourable.
They have been pursuing British rival Hughie Fury, who believes he is the WBO mandatory, and gives them a door to the lucrative British market.
"We're yet to get a ruling on the mandatory but a unification bout trumps the mandatory anyway," Higgins told Fairfax.
"But we like what Wilder is saying. He is of the same view as us ... the heavyweight division needs to unify the champions."
The 2.01m Wilder (37-0 with 36 KOs) is a far tougher proposition than Fury (20-0 with 10 KOs) and Higgins and Team Parker need to decide if that size of a challenge comes too quickly after winning the vacated WBO belt last month.
"It's all a matter of risk and reward," Higgins said of weighing up the options for Parker's first title defence.
"But a risky fight is worth it if the circumstances are right."
A unification bout would certainly carry more financial reward for both fighters.
Higgins indicated that Haymon was notoriously difficult to contact.
"The key guy is Al Haymon and we are yet to hear from him in terms of making a deal. So to Al Hayman, if you are serious about Wilder and Joseph, please give us a call.
"It might be that Wilder wants the fight and Haymon doesn't. But Wilder's comments were pretty straightforward and I think he deserves credit for wanting to pursue that."
Wilder will see Parker as an easier unification bout than taking on the winner of the Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko fight that has the IBF and WBA belts up for grabs in London in April.
From there the winners of these two fights would be able to set up a massive unification bout with all four belts on the line and recognition as the undisputed champion.
Higgins said there was no rush to get a fight organised for the moment. Duco had shown with their last minute deal to get the title fight between Parker and Andy Ruiz in Auckland that they could turn around promotions quickly and successfully.
- Stuff