Boxing: What you'll have to pay to watch Joseph Parker fight Dillian Whyte

Joseph Parker. Photo / www.photosport.nz

Sky sports New Zealand has set the pay per view price for Joseph Parker's fight against Dillian Whyte next month at $49.99.

The fight between the pair at London's O2 Arena on July 29 NZT is likely to contain more consistently hard-hitting action than Parker's last bout against Anthony Joshua, but that too was priced at $49.99 and it was a world title unification fight in front of 80,000 spectators.

Defending the price point, Duco's David Higgins said a lot of thought went into the decision.

"We put careful consideration into the pricing," Higgins told the Herald. "It's a premium event with a stacked undercard – many people in Britain are saying it's the best undercard they've seen for a fight there.

"Sky sports UK and the British boxing public are fizzing because this is a truly 50-50 fight. Joshua was a heavy favourite against Joseph, but this one is far more even and Whyte won't come to win by decision, he will look for the knockout."

Lightweight Katie Taylor will defend her two world titles on the undercard, with the entertaining Dereck Chisora fighting former Parker foe Carlos Takam. Undefeated British light heavyweight Josh Buatsi is also an all-action fighter.

Higgins, Parker's promoter, said the price also compared well with the Parker v Andy Ruiz fight for the vacant WBO world heavyweight title belt in Auckland at the end of 2016 ($59.99), and the first fight he ever put on – David Tua v Shane Cameron in Hamilton in 2009 ($39.95).

"It's a risky business and an expensive business," Higgins said.

The fight will be shown on Sky Arena and also Fan Pass, allowing non-subscribers the chance to buy it at the same price. The broadcast starts at 5am with the main event expected about 9am.

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