Joseph Parker to forego Anthony Joshua shot for Eden Park WBO superfight

  • 29/09/2016
Joseph Parker (Photosport)
Joseph Parker (Photosport)

Kiwi heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker may get the chance to fight for the WBO title in Auckland this summer.

If champion Tyson Fury has his belt stripped for failing to defend it in time, the top-ranked Parker could fight for the vacant belt against Mexican Andy Ruiz, with WBO number two Vladimir Klitschko already in talks to take on Anthony Joshua in Manchester this November.

If Parker does get a shot at the WBO title, he would forfeit his mandatory challenge for the IBF title currently held by Joshua.

"It's only come about in the last couple of days. We had been in negotiations with Eddie Hearn to fight Anthony Joshua but that came to a screaming halt when the Klitschko fight came up," said Duco Events promoter Dean Lonergan.

"Ruiz is perfect for us because from a financial point of view we could probably never get Klitschko or Joshua here because they have significant followings and revenue in their home countries.

"Andy Ruiz does not have that."

Fury, who is reportedly suffering from depression, has 10 days to provide medical evidence that he is unfit to fight, otherwise he will be stripped of the WBO belt immediately.

Lonergan has already started negotiations for the potential world heavyweight boxing title bout between Parker and Ruiz to take place at Eden Park.

"They are keen to do it. Now it's a case of trying to tie down a deal," Lonergan added.

"The great thing we have now is options."

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