JOSEPH PARKER will fight Andy Ruiz on December 10 for the WBO world heavyweight title recently vacated by Tyson Fury.
After Fury vacated his WBA and WBO titles, the latter organisation voted unanimously to grant a fight between top contenders Parker and Ruiz.
Parker recently met with Ruiz’ promoter Bob Arum to finalise the bout, which is expected to take place in Parker’s native New Zealand.
The 24-year-old, ranked No 1 by the WBO with Ruiz at third, behind Wladimir Klitschko, is also mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua’s IBF title and was in the running to face the Londoner on the same date in Manchester.
His challenge for the WBO title will see him removed from the IBF rankings. Joshua is also trying to secure a fight with Klitschko on that date, though their respective teams await news from the WBA to see if they would allow their vacant title to also be on the line in that fight.
Reports have emerged stating that David Haye, currently ranked No 4 with the WBO, will be made mandatory challenger for the Parker-Ruiz winner. That would make sense, as Klitschko is expected to fight for the WBA title, which would remove him from the WBO rankings and make Haye the top available contender.
Haye also intends to fight on December 10 – a night which could also see Parker-Ruiz and Joshua and Klitschko in separate title fights – with an official announcement of his opponent expected soon.
