Promoters Duco Events, through their representative David Higgins, have updated WBN on the current situation regarding Parker’s next move as reports continue to pit the 24 year-old against several names.
Higgins, who accompanied Parker to Samoa as the champion received a hero’s welcome for his exploits in winning his belt against Andy Ruiz earlier this month, explained Duco are currently awaiting official word official from the WBO.
“We are basically matching and weighing up all our options. We are looking at the pros and cons of each of those,” Higgins exclusively told World Boxing News.
“There are a few complications to work through. First is to clarify whether Hughie Fury is the mandatory challenger with the WBO as we are yet to receive anything in writing on that to get clarification.
“If it turns out Hughie Fury is mandatory, then we have a few choices there to make a deal.
“One is to hold the fight in the UK or another is to hold the fight in New Zealand – which we prefer. If there is an impasse, we could go to the purse bid and see what happens that way.
“I was told Peter Fury, the trainer and father of Hughie, may have some problems travelling for the fight if it was in New Zealand so it’s a case of seeing what happens with that situation.”
Other than Fury, WBC title holder Deontay Wilder and number six rated British contender David Price are both being considered for Parker, who is aiming to capitalize on his newly-earned status in the top division.
“We could consider fighting a unification against Wilder, but I hear he is fighting a Polish guy in February,” said Higgins. “We are looking to fight in early April but we could still fight Wilder after that February fight is he’s willing to agree a unification.
“I guess we feel like we have options, but if Fury does want that shot at the WBO title, then we’ll have to make a deal we are all happy with in terms of money, location and timing.
“We organize very high-end events and we are good at it, that’s why we want to stage the fight here. But we are willing to go to the UK, although we need a damn good deal.”
On making contact with Price, Higgins added: “We are keeping our options open and we have made contact with David Price as we vaguely mapped out terms with Hughie Fury regarding what would have to happen for him to come to New Zealand.
“I’m yet to hear what they could offer Parker to come to the UK, but we’d need a substantial seven-figure sum from Frank Warren and I’m yet to see anything formal from them along those lines.
“Therefore, with David Price being so eager to come to New Zealand, and the fact that he would be grateful for the opportunity, Price would be another good option for us.”
