ParkerFa confirmed for December 11

BOXING

WELLINGTON: A heavyweight showdown between New Zealanders Joseph Parker and Junior Fa has been confirmed for December 11 in Auckland.

Parker is a former WBO world heavyweight champion, while Fa is the current WBO Oriental Interim Heavyweight title holder.

‘‘With both boxers inside the WBO top 10 world rankings and in their prime, this is undeniably New Zealand's fight of the century,’’ Parker's promoter, David Higgins, said.

Parker is ranked third in the WBO world rankings and Fa is ranked sixth. The winner is likely to improve their chances of a shot at the WBO belt.

The pair fought four times as amateurs, with two wins each.

The heavyweight boxing matchup also marks the return of largescale marquee events, with 9000 expected to fill out Auckland's Spark Arena for the event.

Spark Sports has the payperview broadcast rights.

Parker (28) has a record of 27 wins (21 KO), no draws and two losses.

His last fight was a win over American Shawndell Winters in February.

Fa (31) has 19 wins (10 KO), no draws and no losses.

His last fight was a win over American Devin Vargas in November 2019.