No more fights for Parker this year

WBO world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has opted against fighting again this year.

There had been hopes of New Zealand’s boxing star squeezing in another title bout in December following his mandatory defence win in Manchester against Hughie Fury in September.

His promoters at Duco Events had advanced negotiations with Japan’s WBO No 9 Kyotaro Fujimoto.

But struggles to get a satisfactory TV deal in place on such a short time frame have made that too difficult.

They considered other options, including fighting in New Zealand or Russia, but have decided to instead allow Parker a longer break, though he will continue training with an eye to resuming his fight schedule early next year.

‘‘The Japanese were very good and solid. They were very respectful and real in their wish to stage a fight there,’’ Duco Events boss David Higgins told Stuff.

‘‘But their feedback in sounding out their broadcasters and sponsors, was that because Fujimoto’s profile is still building there and boxing hasn’t really been big since Buster Douglas beat Mike Tyson there, they couldn’t quite put enough money on the table.’’

Higgins said alternatives, like heading to Russia to take on Alexander Povetkin, also had obstacles.

‘‘So for us, it was do we rush something at short money and risk that world title or do we take our time and mount a something on our terms? Everyone in the team is quite comfortable with this decision.

‘‘Look, if we got an offer we couldn’t refuse tomorrow we might be back on for December. But at this stage, realistically, we are looking at doing something on our terms in February or March.

‘‘It certainly won’t be Anthony Joshua though. Eddie Hearn is dreaming with what he put out in the media.’’

Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, had talked of the possibility of a unification fight with Parker in Britain in February with the Kiwi camp only getting 20 per cent of the deal, something Higgins scoffed at.