PURSE bids for WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker’s mandatory defence against Hughie Fury will be held in Puerto Rico later today to determine details of the bout.
Fury will be represented by Frank Warren in the bids, while Parker’s promoters – Duco Events – will also be vying for rights to the clash as a deal outside of purse bids could not be reached.
Warren confirmed to Boxing News that they have made a “substantial offer” to stage the fight and that he would be “thrilled” if their’s is the winning bid today. If so, the heavyweight fight would take place in the UK, potentially in Manchester.
Duco Events would hope to stage the contest in Parker’s native New Zealand, where he is a national star, on April 1. The minimum bid has been set at $1m, with the purse split to be 60-40 in favour of Parker as he is champion.
The fight provides Hughie with the opportunity to win a title previously held by his cousin, Tyson, who vacated the belt last year, along with his WBA strap.
Parker won the vacant title by outpointing Andy Ruiz in New Zealand. Fury last fought in April when he beat gatekeeper Fred Kassi on a technical decision. Parker fought five times last year, including a rousing points win over Carlos Takam in an IBF eliminator before he won the WBO belt.
Fury’s stop-start career has been marred by medical issues, however after seeing several specialists he is now back to full health.
David Haye was initially the mandatory challenger for Parker’s title, but instead he will fight WBC cruiserweight king Tony Bellew at heavyweight on March 4, though he still remains highly ranked by the organisation.
