Cricket: CEO Snedden now in Duco's corner

Martin Snedden is stepping back into sports administration, this time with Duco. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Martin Snedden, the former New Zealand Cricket boss and one of the key organisers of the Rugby World Cup three years ago, is about to get to grips with the often murky world of professional boxing.

The 55-year-old has been appointed group chief executive of Duco Events, the company behind the popular NRL Auckland Nines and Fight for Life events, and also the promotion and management of Joseph Parker, New Zealand's rising heavyweight.

Keen to get back into the day-to-day business of sports administration after a recent role in the tourism industry, Snedden said the chance to have an input in 22-year-old Parker's career was something he couldn't pass up.

"He clearly has potential to go a long way. No one is sure how far, and you don't have to be, there's no guarantees in sport as to how far someone will get," Snedden told the Herald. "There's a real opportunity to manage his career carefully and keep him going up the rankings, getting more and more experience ... and getting to the point where he's a genuine title contender somewhere along the line.

"It's not going to be a straight road, there will be setbacks along the way, but he's obviously got the talent and he's also got star quality and people want to see him and how he goes through his career. These guys [Duco] provide the platform to look at that and be part of that career and growth and that's pretty exciting stuff.

"I've met him very briefly and I've watched how he's conducted himself while I've been having these discussions and you just can't help being impressed by the guy."

Snedden, who has been in talks with Duco directors Dean Lonergan and David Higgins for the past 15 months, said Parker's recent victory over Keith Thompson in Pennsylvania impressed him hugely.

"Straight after the fight finished and he's being interviewed in the ring - the normal interviews with sportsmen straight after an event finishes are usually rubbish - that was a really good interview; he had a clear head and he was able to be pleased about what he'd achieved but keep in the context that hey, he's made another step forward but it's just one more step.

"I looked at that and thought, 'Man, that's a really good sign that he's got his head screwed on right.'"

Former test cricketer Snedden will remain on the board of New Zealand Cricket. He recently assisted NZC and the International Cricket Council re-shape its Future Tours programme after India, England and Australia flexed their collective muscle, but he will relinquish his ICC directorship.

He sees his new role as being one of helping to consolidate Duco's gains - making sure the events they already have remain a success - as well as assist in new projects, both in New Zealand and overseas.

As for the professional boxing world, Snedden said: "I look at it as an event rather than the world of boxing. I look at it as Fight for Life or Joseph Parker. It's not like we are trying to take over the sport of boxing in New Zealand, that's not the point of this, the point is specific events that have attraction for sports fans."

Lonergan said Snedden had a "credible", safe pair of hands, adding: "Not only does Martin bring his skill set to the table but also the Snedden brand and we think that's incredibly valuable."