A free radical in a boxing industry which thrives on chaos, David Higgins' unorthodox approach to appears on the brink of sealing what will be easily the most lucrative fight involving a New Zealander and one of the sporting events of next year.
Higgins may have to concede something as negotiations between Joseph Parker and Anthony Joshua hinge on one or two points, but his hard line on a 35 per cent share of the profits for Parker will reap the Kiwi a considerably larger share than he would have got otherwise.
Despite the wacky press conferences, stunts and witticisms (he's described rival Eddie Hearn as a "Cheshire Cat" and "a younger version of The Simpsons' Mr Burns") Higgins has so far kept rival managers and promoters on side.
Joseph Parker's promoter David Higgins. Photo / Photosport
His late, tipsy, intervention at a Parker v Hughie Fury press conference in London in September caused uproar and an angry response from Fury's father and trainer Peter.
Higgins was kicked out but succeeded in getting the referee changed for the fight in Manchester, which Parker won by decision, and he is close to getting another result here, one which will make his investment in the now 25-year-old WBO world heavyweight champion pay off big time.
Then there was Higgins' shambolic press conference in Auckland recently — streamed live around the world — in which he stated Joshua had a glass jaw and set about proving it with a highlights package which left some viewers bewildered, not least Hearn.
The Englishman said: "I know Duco have got a load of abuse today, but I don't mind it. Look, they're working with what they've got — they're trying to make noise.
"David Higgins texted me today something mental and I said, 'mate you're off your swede, you're on another level'.
"Sometimes, when you're not the 'A side', you have to make noise, you have to try something quirky, that's why I don't mind what Higgins is doing," Hearn said.
Higgins has often spoken about being underestimated. For him, in the wild world of professional boxing, it's probably an advantage.
Joseph Parker's promoter David Higgins. Photo / Photosport
His first promotion was the David Tua v Shane Cameron blockbuster in 2009 — still New Zealand's highest pay per view sporting event, and it wasn't until the day of the fight that he broke even. A failure would have led to bankruptcy.
"Dave has done a fantastic job," Parker's trainer Kevin Barry said.
"Dave is not your textbook promoter. He's a promoter who does things his way and I know that Eddie Hearn is not used to dealing with people like David Higgins and it's because of that that we have had a lot of respect and success with these negotiations."
The unorthodox approach and capacity to keep the opposition guessing will no doubt be seen in the build-up to the fight if and when it is made — and indications are it will be held in Cardiff on March 31 next year.
