Parker eyes Dunedin for WBO title defence

‘‘Option one London, option two Dunedin, option three Las Vegas ... and then pros and cons.’’ David Higgins from Duco

Dunedin, with its indoor stadium, has emerged as a surprise candidate to hold a Joseph Parker world title defence.

The 24-year-old is now the WBO heavyweight champion and as his aggressive handlers Duco Events digest his win, they have already been planning the consequences of owning one of the sport’s four belts.

If the economics are right – and Duco are masters of making a deal work – they see no reason why a defence can’t be held in New Zealand.

And looking for a major venue, Duco founder and co-owner David Higgins, has produced Dunedin as a wildcard. He sees it as the facility that stands out for a stadium fight because of its roof. There had been talk of holding Saturday’s title fight against Andy Ruiz at Auckland’s Eden Park. That would have been a disaster with the city turning on a stinker with persistent rain in the evening. The bright lights of major international venues beckon but if the lucrative overseas pay-per-view deals can be accommodated, don’t rule out New Zealand hosting another extravaganza like the win over Ruiz that had 10,000 crammed into Vector Arena mesmerised.

‘‘Option one London, option two Dunedin, option three Las Vegas ... and then pros and cons,’’ said a beaming Higgins.

‘‘Everyone says, ‘it won’t be defended in New Zealand’. But if we fight indoors in Dunedin, 35,000 people at 11pm, that’s 11am in London... it’s perfect pay-per-view time.

‘‘So we will write up all the options on a white board, discuss them with Kevin Barry and Joe and then make a decision.’’

Having been campaigned heavily in New Zealand during the last four years, Parker has had South Island fights in Invercargill and Christchurch but Dunedin is fresh territory.

The big thing now is that Parker, with one of the world’s four belts, has valuable currency to lay on the dealing table. Duco have made no secret of their desire to crack the UK market which is the hotbed of the heavyweight scene right now with Anthony Joshua holding the IBF belt and other contenders there.

Hughie Fury, cousin to Tyson Fury, looks to be the mandatory WBO challenge for Parker right now, a bout that could be tied up for April. The friendly time zone could mean Parker does indeed, make the defence at home rather than risking his belt in Fury’s backyard in Britain. Fury’s promoter Frank Warren and already signalled a willingness to take on the winner of the Parker v Ruiz fight although he said there were also negotiations for Fury to fight WBC champion Deontay Wilder of the United States.

The American heavyweight market needs rejuvenation and Parker is an option to help lead the charge there with Duco signing a deal with powerful promoter Bob Arum that gives them some juicy options.

Ultimately the best money deal will win, though it will be weighed alongside what is in the best interests of retaining Parker’s bargaining tool, the WBO belt.