JOSEPH PARKER will now be co-promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank as the unbeaten New Zealander prepares to fight Andy Ruiz for the vacant WBO world heavyweight title this weekend.
Arum will work alongside Duco Events, Parker’s main promoters, to build the fighter’s profile in America and China.
The news ensures that Arum – who promotes Ruiz – will have a world heavyweight champion after this weekend, regardless of who wins.
“Listen, having been in this business 50-plus years, I don’t expect anybody to win a fight, particularly when it’s as close on paper as this one is,” he said.
“I really think that the winner of this fight probably has the best chance to be the preeminent heavyweight, I really believe that.
“Parker has natural skills, he’s so big and he punches so hard and Andy has the fastest hands that I’ve seen on a heavyweight since Muhammad Ali.”
The winner of the fight will have 90 days to fight mandatory challenger Hughie Fury.
