Two New Zealanders, Junior Fa (19-0, 10 KOs) and Joseph Parker (27-2, 21 KOs) have a long history of amateur fights and many subsequent unsuccessful negotiations in the pros. Recently, it seemed that they were going to take rematch in the pro ranks, but the parties again failed to reach a financial agreement. Mark Caddell, the manager of Fa tried to explain the situation.
So far, Fa and Parker have met in the ring four times, but this was during the time of amateur boxing. Each scored two wins. New Zealanders would like to see the fifth battle of their compatriots now, but the differences in financial requirements are still too great. Parker, the former WBO world heavyweight champion, is ranked second in the organization’s ratings. Fa is sixth.
“It's a little funny, because Parker's team has discredited me many times, but now they clearly need me. They wouldn’t make so much noise if they could go to another place and earn big money with someone else. They need me now,” Fa said, who requires 33% of the total purse. And since there are supposedly three million New Zealand dollars (about 1.8 million US dollars) at stake, Fa wants to have exactly one million out of it.
“This is a big fight, not only in New Zealand, but also internationally. These are two fighters from top ten of the world rankings. As far as I know, Parker will receive two million for this fight, so why should we agree to several hundred thousand? Junior also deserves a good purse,” Caddell said.
“I want this fight and I hope that it will take place. If both parties really want it, we will sign a contract. But Parker knows that I beat him four times already. If someone watched these bouts, he knows very well that I was better in each of these fights. He knows that too. Of course, this was a very long time ago, but Parker is afraid that I will easily defeat him,” Fa added.
