Boxing: Duco rule out immediate Ruiz rematch

Martin Snedden and Craig Stanaway unveil the WBO world boxing organisation heavyweight belt. Photo / Photosport

Duco Events has scotched the prospect of an immediate re-match between Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz Junior.

Chief executive Martin Snedden told Tony Veitch on Newstalk ZB this afternoon that Duco were not interested in a re-match despite calls from Ruiz himself and his veteran promoter Bob Arum.

Snedden also revealed Parker would stay away from the man currently considered to be the best boxer in the world, Briton Anthony Joshua who today defended his IBF world heavyweight crown by stopping American Mexican Eric Molina in the third round of their bout in London.

"Not quickly," Snedden responded to Veitch asking if there would be a re-match. "We really need to take some time to reflect."

Listen: Tony Veitch speaks with Martin Snedden

Snedden was not troubled by wide debate over who actually won the fight with some saying Parker gained a hometown decision.

"The reality is that like the Rugby World Cup final between the All Blacks and France in that all those arguments are interesting but in the end, it's what the officials say that matters and in the end Joseph won it."

"But what was apparent last night was that he has a lot of work to do to move from being the WBO world heavyweight champion to becoming the undisputed world champion.

"He know's that, (trainer) Kevin Barry knows that and we know that. We admire him
greatly, not only for the skill he showed last night, but also his clear headedness.

"As the fight went on he sussed out what Ruiz was doing and he changed his tactics a little bit.

"If you looked at the two faces at the end of the night, that gives you a clue as to why Joseph won. But he's got a lot to do from where he is now to being the best in the world.
"He knows that.

"We will have to work out how do we get him there. I don't think we would throw him into a fight against Anthony Joshua straight away even if that was a possibility.

"I think we will just try and work out how we can keep developing his skills and confidence and better equipping him for when he comes up against the very best.

"And that's not undermining Ruiz. He did a job that was far, far better than we had expected and could easily have won it. But it's another step up against the likes of Joshua.

"It's a great step forward but it's just one more step forward for him."

Earlier, Arum had supported Ruiz's call for a re-match and said he would talk to Duco promoters Dean Lonergan and David Higgins today "over lunch" about the prospect.