At a press conference this morning, Duco Events announced the bout against Mexican Andy Ruiz Jr would be on the Kiwi fighter's home turf despite sponsorship and funding issues originally seeing the fight as "70 to 80 per cent" likely to be moved to the US.
The December 10 fight will take place at Auckland's Vector Arena.
Parker's promoters had originally looked to counter funding issues with a government handout but withdrew their application for funding due to the "political dynamite" surrounding the request which led fans to believe the fight would head to the US.
However, Duco Events' Chief Executive Martin Snedden says sponsorship generosity enabled them to beat the odds.
"We are only able to host the event in Auckland because of the tremendous support from our sponsors who grasp just how big an occasion this will be for all New Zealanders."
Parker and Ruiz's promoters inked the title fight deal with the WBO last month to confirm the respective number one and three ranked fighters would fight for the belt vacated by troubled previous champion Tyson Fury.
Despite previously calling his fighter a slob, Arum told ESPN.com he thinks his fighter has a great chance to upset the home crowd.
"My (matchmakers) think Andy has a hell of a shot. The kid is pumped because apparently he's sparred with Parker and more than held his own.
"I've seen some of Parker's fights on YouTube clips. He's a tremendous puncher but he doesn't look to me to be particularly fast and Andy is a very fast heavyweight."
And Parker isn't taking those words lightly either.
"I remember when I sparred him in 2013, he had a lot of power," Parker told Boxing Scene.
"I was saying to someone else, he was the only one who punched me, the hardest I've ever been punched before and ripped my mouth. I couldn't eat for about three days."
Tickets go on sale on Thursday via Ticketmaster. Duco boss Martin Snedden says prices will start at $99.
The December 10 fight will take place at Auckland's Vector Arena.
Parker's promoters had originally looked to counter funding issues with a government handout but withdrew their application for funding due to the "political dynamite" surrounding the request which led fans to believe the fight would head to the US.
However, Duco Events' Chief Executive Martin Snedden says sponsorship generosity enabled them to beat the odds.
"We are only able to host the event in Auckland because of the tremendous support from our sponsors who grasp just how big an occasion this will be for all New Zealanders."
Parker and Ruiz's promoters inked the title fight deal with the WBO last month to confirm the respective number one and three ranked fighters would fight for the belt vacated by troubled previous champion Tyson Fury.
Despite previously calling his fighter a slob, Arum told ESPN.com he thinks his fighter has a great chance to upset the home crowd.
"My (matchmakers) think Andy has a hell of a shot. The kid is pumped because apparently he's sparred with Parker and more than held his own.
"I've seen some of Parker's fights on YouTube clips. He's a tremendous puncher but he doesn't look to me to be particularly fast and Andy is a very fast heavyweight."
And Parker isn't taking those words lightly either.
"I remember when I sparred him in 2013, he had a lot of power," Parker told Boxing Scene.
"I was saying to someone else, he was the only one who punched me, the hardest I've ever been punched before and ripped my mouth. I couldn't eat for about three days."
Tickets go on sale on Thursday via Ticketmaster. Duco boss Martin Snedden says prices will start at $99.
Article courtesy of TVNZ
Subscribe to the Ringside Reporter
