A mandated World Boxing Organisation heavyweight title clash between new champion Joseph Parker and Hughie Fury has been given a purse bid date. Parker and Fury representatives have been in contact regarding the fight, although no agreement has yet been reached ahead of the imminent deadline.
The official WBO document released on January 25 reads as follows:
WBO HEAVYWEIGHT PURSE BID
Joseph Parker vs. Hughie Fury
Gentlemen:
As per Section 11 through 14 of the WBO Regulations for World Championship Contest (www.wboboxing.com), please be advised that a purse bid will be held at 11:00 am AST on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at the WBO Headquarters.
The minimum acceptable bid for the Heavyweight Title is $1,000,000.00 (One Million Dollars). The Purse division for Champion Parker will be 60% and for the Challenger 40%, as accorded during the 2016 WBO Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico. President Francisco Valcarcel will be presiding.
A venue in New Zealand or the United Kingdom is expected to be settled once the purse bid is concluded, with Duco Events (alongside Top Rank) and Frank Warren the frontrunners to gain control of the organizing. The bout could then take place in the late spring, with the winner potentially going on to unify the division against WBC ruler Deontay Wilder.
