Joseph Parker-Hughie Fury fight to go ahead after purse payment made

The money is in the bank.

Joseph Parker's WBO heavyweight title defence against Hughie Fury next month will proceed as planned after a purse payment of around $2.1 million (NZD) landed overnight.

Speculation in boxing circles was rife that Fury would pull out for a second occasion.

The big Brit claimed a dubious back injury prevented him from making the trip to New Zealand for the original May 6 fight with Parker. Promoters Duco Events pushed ahead with that date, calling up sparring partner Razvan Cojanu as a replacement in an underwhelming event that saw them and Parker take financial hits.

Ahead of the reschedule title fight in Manchester on September 23, this time poor ticket sales were touted as casting major doubts over Fury's participation.

As deadline loomed this weekend, Duco boss David Higgins was relieved to see the $1.5 million (US) purse payment turn up.

Also @joeboxerparker @DucoEvents fully paid. @HennessySports @JRgymPreston @djk256 @frankwarren_tv #23rd sept. Don't miss it.!

— peter fury (@peterfury) August 31, 2017

Message for all the fools out their that thought this fight wasn't happening' &running round like pigs Squealing. #getinline @HennessySports

— peter fury (@peterfury) August 31, 2017

"It's been a long and winding road and the fans can be forgiven for being a little cynical at times especially in the sport of boxing. I'm pleased to confirm the full payment from Camp Fury is in our escrow account as of now so that means the fight is 100 per cent on - the money is in the bank," Higgins said.

"There were a lot of doubters. Almost every man in British boxing was telling me they wouldn't put the money up; certainly a lot of people in New Zealand were doubtful. We put every protection in the contract and true to their word the money is there.

"Ticket buying patterns are different in every city. This is the heavyweight world title and it's in England; the home of heavyweight boxing so they're probably confident they'll get a late run."

In Parker's unbeaten 23 fight career, Higgins has never had to jump through as many hoops as the Furys have put him through.

"It's been a helluva journey getting this fight together but we've got it there on terms that are good for Team Parker. Finally, it's on. For Joseph to beat Hughie Fury in England is a great debut there. He's a big name in world boxing and if Joe knocks him out in his hometown the world is his oyster.

"I personally thought they'd put the money up but I felt like a man alone. After what we'd been through with the initial cancellation in New Zealand if they didn't put the money up they'd lose all credibility; they'd probably be stripped out of the rankings and Hughie Fury would one day have to tell his grandkids he let a title shot go.

"There are a lot of people proved wrong now the money is in the bank."

Higgins also revealed the New Zealand pay-per-view price would be dropped to $39.95 - a decrease of $10 to $20 on previous Parker fights. Bars will be charged $895 - another significant drop in price. The main event is expected to screen around 9am Sunday morning NZT.