Italian referee for Parker title fight

Joseph Parker’s camp are delighted he will have an Italian referee for his world heavyweight unification fight with Anthony Joshua and a balanced judging panel, including Kiwi Ian Scott.

Giuseppe Quartarone has been confirmed as the man in the middle of the ring to control the fight in Cardiff on April 1 (NZT) when Parker puts his WBO title on the line and Joshua has his IBF and WBA titles up for grabs.

The three-man judging panel will be made up of Scott, of Wellington, a Brit and an American.

Parker’s promoter David Higgins expressed satisfaction with the lineup of officials though he admitted he would have liked to have taken the British and New Zealand components out of the equation.

‘‘My preference was total neutrality and Eddie Hearn [Joshua’s promoter] was agreeable to that,’’ Higgins told Stuff.

‘‘Plan B was a balanced panel – if there’s a British judge there has to be a New Zealand judge. The British Boxing Board of Control opted for the plan B option and we are happy.

‘‘A balanced panel is certainly better than what we were served up last time, so we are grateful for that.’’

Higgins became the front person to get the referee changed for last September’s fight with Hughie Fury in Manchester.

Higgins stormed the stage at a press conference demanding a new referee. He was thrown out by security guards but made his point and eventually got his way, though they replaced a British referee with another Brit.

He sees the latest appointments as a mark of growing respect for his outfit.

‘‘I think this shows we are taken a bit more seriously now. We went to English territory and out-manouevred some very experienced boxing people and came away with a win. I think we have earned some respect and that shows here.’’

Higgins felt having a neutral referee was a key ingredient for a fight of this magnitude and they were comfortable with the appointment of Quartarone.

Higgins had his matchmaker Stuart Duncan review the Italian’s performances before signing off on the referee.

‘‘When he said, ‘the guy is solid and there’s no reason to rock the boat’, Kevin Barry and I accepted that. Kevin also had a look and seemed happy.’’

Quartarone has controlled 91 fights, all in Europe, including previous world title fights but this will be by far his biggest assignment.

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