Boxing: TV fight tipped to propel Parker to next level in US

Joseph Parker's profile in the US is likely to rise considerably after his fight tonight in Palmerston North is screened live to America. Photo / Getty Images

Joseph Parker's fight against Yakup Saglam in Palmerston North tonight will be screened live to a potential audience of millions in the United States after his promoters Duco struck an exclusive deal with ESPN.

"We are very, very excited about this," Duco's Dean Lonergan said.

"This will enable Joseph to get cut-through in the United States and Latin America. All of his fights will be screened live there and news shows such as Sports Nation and Sports Center will be able to use them. This will take his profile to the next level."

The 23-year-old Kiwi's fights would be screened on ESPN3, a channel available to 99 million homes in the US, Lonergan said.

Brian Kweder snr, an ESPN director, said Parker was becoming an international name in the sport.

"When boxing fans and writers talk about 'who's next' in the heavyweight division, the name Joseph Parker is always in the top two or three on that list," he said. "We want to provide US fight fans with the opportunity to see Joseph Parker in action in preparation for the day when we see Parker against a Deontay Wilder or a Wladimir Klitschko for that heavyweight title."

There will be no monetary gain for Duco or Parker from this television deal, but future deals have the potential to be lucrative.

"Floyd Mayweather is a case in point," Lonergan said. "TV is where he makes most of his money."

While Parker is starting to make waves in the United States, his popularity in Palmerston North and Invercargill, where he will fight against a yet-to-be-confirmed opponent on August 1, will ensure more of his bouts will be held in provincial New Zealand.

Lonergan said all corporate tables and general admission tickets at Arena Manawatu had sold, and he described the advance sales for the bout at Invercargill's ILT Stadium as "stunning".

"The last three weeks have seen a stunning uptake in corporate tables and tickets in Palmerston North and Invercargill, to the point where we are seriously thinking about delaying a push into the American market next year.

"We will probably hold two or three more fights in New Zealand in Taranaki, Napier, Christchurch, Invercargill or Palmerston North before we push into Las Vegas or Los Angeles or New York."

Parker tipped the scales at 106.6kg for the fight at Arena Manawatu, his 14th as a professional. Saglam, known as The Scorpion, weighed a trim 100.7kg.