The fight is back on - Joseph Parker defence needs public money

New Zealand heavyweight boxer and WBO champion Joseph Parker. Photosport

The debate about whether the public should put money into big boxing is back on.

Joseph Parker's management is reviving the bid for rate and taxpayer support saying it will be vital to staging the WBO champion's first title defence in New Zealand.

Duco boss David Higgins told Radio Sport the priority was to stage Parker's maiden defence of his title in this country.

A number of opponents - the latest being Englishman David Price - and venues are being suggested by reporters and commentators around the world, but Higgins says a fight in New Zealand is Duco's strong preference.

Higgins revealed that Duco will apply to the Government for major events funding and make another approach to the Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development agency.

In a clear challenge to boxing naysayers and those in charge of the public purse strings, Higgins said big boxing events definitely met the criteria for support.

Controversy raged before Parker's successful title fight against Mexican-American Andy Ruiz jnr at Vector Arena, with the Auckland Council events agency backing out of a $500,000 commitment on the eve of the contest.

Ateed said it had run out of time to "accurately assess the potential of this event", with new Auckland mayor Phil Goff playing a prime role in that decision in what many saw as a political move.

Higgins said: "There's no rush...we're going to put in an application in to New Zealand Government's major events funding. They have certain criteria and we think our event stacks up very nicely.

"Yes we will look at Ateed again. A major international boxing event does fit the criteria, it's a bulls eye on criteria. It attracts a lot of visitors and global viewers.

"We will slowly work out what is best for Team Parker, talk to the Government and the cities, and see where it is at. We would need enough sponsorship from the Government, a city, corporations or a combination of."

Duco pulled its application for national events funding of the Ruiz fight after a study of public and media reaction. At the time, Higgins said: "We're aware our business does rely on public goodwill. We're selling tickets, we're selling pay-per-view television. We rely on the public and we rely on that goodwill. We do not take it for granted."

Parker's first defence has been pencilled in for early April, and could be held in Britain - the hotbed of heavyweight title interest - or America.