Recent talks between Duco and US company Top Rank produced an agreement for the WBO mandatory title fight between home fighter Joseph Parker and American Andy Ruiz Jr. – with the fight heading down under on December 10.
In order to reach a settlement, Duco have asked the New Zealand Government to dig deep into the taxpayers fund to provide a seven-figure cheque to help the staging of what is a high-profile bout on both sides of the world.
New Zealand’s Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce confirmed an application was under review when speaking to the New Zealand Herald on Friday.
“That will go through the process and be treated like any other application,” he told The Herald. “The whole idea of the fund is to develop new major events.
“It’s about providing money to support something that would otherwise not happen,” he added.
It is thought Parker’s bid would be looked upon favourably as it’s such an historic event as Duco aim to bring the biggest ever top division battle to their shores.
At 24 years old and with 18 KO’s from 21 wins, Parker aims to become a major player on the world scene with victory in Auckland.
