Queenstown option for Parker fight

Queenstown could host Joseph Parker’s next fight.

The heavyweight and his manager David Higgins have just spent time in New Zealand adventure capital as lockdown restrictions ease and see potential for the city to hold Parker’s next fight which is being planned for August or September.

New Zealand’s ability to control the coronavirus has placed the country in a position to lead the sporting fightback.

Higgins sees huge potential for former WBO champion Parker to get back into the ring on home soil in a promotion that could have a massive global audience.

With a limited audience, he is looking for some iconic or unusual New Zealand setting and sees Queenstown, Auckland, Rotorua and Wellington as potential options.

‘‘We are doing our due diligence on locations now,’’ Higgins told Stuff yesterday, admitting there had been considerable interest in taking on the fight.

‘‘A lot of the regions in New Zealand are on their knees. The tourist districts are some of the worst hit if not the most affected.

‘‘It’s a matter of when and how do we bring back events? We need to be proactive about that now.

‘‘Each region has their own recovery plans and we’d look at all venue options. So we are trying to make the budgets work.’’

Higgins said Duco Events wanted to ‘‘be bold and provide entertainment to New Zealand and around the world.’’

Higgins has the blessing of Parker’s British promoters at Matchroom Boxing to explore the options in New Zealand for a fight that could lead boxing’s return to action internationally given the health struggles in some of the sport’s major markets like the

United States and Britain.

There is also a likely need for a New Zealand or Australian opponent under the current Covid-19 restrictions.

Struggles to agree a purse with New Zealand’s other top heavyweight, Junior Fa, have thrown the focus on Australians Lucas Browne and Demseymckean.

Queenstown mayor Jim Boult told Newshub his region was keen to host the fight and would seek government assistance to try to make it happen.

‘‘We’ve had some initial discussions about it. I think it’s a really, really good opportunity. It’s just the sort of thing we need happening in the district,’’ Boult said.

‘‘They do have a budget for $400 million for tourism promotion, so I’m hoping we can find a bit of money somewhere in there to make this happen.’’

Unbeaten Mckean, meanwhile, continues to call out Parker, desperate for a fight that would put him on the map although his fists have already been doing plenty of talking on an unbeaten 18-fight run that sees him ranked No 13 with the IBF and No 14 with the WBO.

Parker is No 2 with the WBO, No 7 with the IBF and No 6 with the WBC – rankings that would be risked against a cocky Mckean.

Mckean believes Parker, who has had a relatively quiet couple of years, is vulnerable and feels he has better current credentials than veteran Browne.

‘‘We wouldn’t be chasing that fight so much, if we didn’t think so,’’ Mckean told Sky Sports of his ability to beat Parker.

‘‘He hasn’t looked the best in his last few outings either. I think he struggled even to put away Alex Leapai, a couple of fights ago. I’ve done a lot of rounds with Alex Leapai as well. I’ve had the more lively opposition, compared to his last few outings.’’