Parker puts it all on line
No second chances. That’s the scenario facing Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz ahead of their December 10 showdown for the WBO heavyweight title in Auckland, with no rematch clause included in their contract.
Parker and Ruiz get their chance to contest the WBO’s top prize after heavyweight champion Tyson Fury was stripped of his belts following cocaine and mental health issues.
The winner-takes-all script for the vacant title raises the stakes further.
Both contenders are yet to suffer defeat in 50 combined fights. While Parker, 24, and Ruiz, 27, are young challengers, a loss could set them back anywhere between 12 months to two years.
‘‘In modern boxing rematch clauses are like an insurance policy meaning you can cover and hedge against losses both financially and opportunity,’’ Duco Events co owner David Higgins, one of Parker’s promoters, said. ‘‘There is no rematch clause here. That makes it more exciting in that it’s all on the line and the loser has no guarantee of anything and the winner will have total licence to proceed as they wish.’’
The WBO has ordered the winner to square off against former cruiser and heavyweight champion David Haye early next year.
‘‘Because David Haye has already had a title shot he’s a very big name and very polarising with fans,’’ Higgins said. ‘‘It would be a very big fight for either Parker or Ruiz.’’
Before any of that plays out Parker must first get past Ruiz.
The Mexican’s promoter, Bob Arum, also confirmed there was no rematch clause and conceded Parker deserved his favouritism.
‘‘Joe is a big guy; a heavy handed puncher and in Andy he is fighting a guy who probably has the quickest hands in the heavyweight division. It’s going to be very competitive,’’ Arum said.
‘‘We have great match makers and they say it’s quite right that Joe should be the favourite but both of them give Andy a helluva shot to win the fight because of his speed and the fact Andy takes a tremendous punch.’’