Lupsoliai’s camp eye August for return to ring

By Thomas Airey 08 May 2020, 10:00PM

With New Zealand pondering a further easing of its COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, Lupesoliai Joseph Parker could have his next fight in August.

Stuff reported that the former world heavyweight champion’s manager David Higgins has been working on hosting an event within the confines of Level 2 lockdown restrictions, which limit gatherings to a maximum of 100 people.

Although that would all-but prevent a live crowd from attending, Higgins told Stuff that would give an “exclusive feel” to the potential event:

“It could be a grand lawn or the lobby of an ornate building ... something unique. But the international TV audience would be huge,” he said.

“These are unprecedented times that have turned the industry upside down.

“You have a choice of sitting idle and riding it out or you think laterally at something that still works.”

Higgins is working on a fight in New Zealand with Lupesoliai’s promoters Matchroom Boxing, who are keen on an event in New Zealand to debut streaming service DAZN there.

“Matchroom see it as a real possibility with New Zealand appearing ahead of the curve in the battle against Covid-19,” he said.

“If it can be done safely Joseph is all for it,” Higgins said.

In regards to an opponent, Higgins again played down the chances of an all-Kiwi bout with Junior Fa due to continued “unrealistic” financial demands from the Tongan’s camp.

With New Zealand and Australia’s governments talking about opening up travel between the two countries to create a trans-Tasman bubble, Higgins said an Australian opponent like Lucas Browne or Demsey McKean was more likely.

Tags

Boxing
By Thomas Airey 08 May 2020, 10:00PM
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