Boxing: Price right for Joseph Parker fight

The New Zealand pay per view price for Joseph Parker's history-making world unification heavyweight boxing fight against Anthony Joshua has been set at $49.99.

That is just under $10 cheaper than the price for Parker's challenge for the vacant WBO world title against Andy Ruiz Jr in Auckland in 2016. Duco Events' co-owner David Higgins believes the price is appropriate after receiving criticism for previous pay per view prices.

In an interview with the Herald as he and Team Parker continue to build towards the bout against Joshua at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on March 31, Higgins said he was comfortable with the price would work for Kiwi households.

"It's about elasticity of demand," Higgins said. "Sometimes you can make more by setting the price a bit cheaper. It's all about finding the right spot. We have copped criticism in the past, I think unfairly, because people don't know what's going on behind the scenes.

"Sometimes we're making losses or no money at all. Those people who are buying the pay per view are effectively funding Joe's journey. They've made a contribution. The others are haters who will flog you no matter what.

"Instinctively we think that's the right price point for this event. And we want to be inclusive, we'd like as many New Zealanders as possible to tune in for what could be a memorable day in history."

Many will probably conclude that the price for the Parker v Joshua event, which will be screened in New Zealand live on Sky Arena and watched by a crowd of 80,000 and a global television audience of many millions, compares well with the price for Parker's fight last year against Hughie Fury ($39.95).

If illegal live streaming is kept to a minimum, the event could break the New Zealand pay per view record, when around 90,000 people bought the David Tua v Shane Cameron fight in 2009. Higgins said illegal streamers would be prosecuted.

Given the global significance of the fight and fact Parker, 26, and Joshua, 28, are undefeated, most Kiwi boxing fans are likely to be in front of a television on the morning of Easter Sunday, a time difference which isn't ideal for the owners of cafes and bars.

Due to New Zealand's Easter Sunday trading laws, cafes, including bars, are able to remain open but can serve alcohol only if a person is dining and can serve drinks no more than one hour either side of that meal.

It means pub owners will have to apply for a special licence to serve alcohol during the fight.

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