Joseph Parker plans Samoa trip as Fury firms as next opponent

New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker celebrates with the WBO belt after defeating Andy Ruiz Jr. Photosport

Joseph Parker is planning a trip to Samoa to celebrate his WBO heavyweight world title victory with his supporters, extended family, and the government, who chipped in a significant amount of money to support the fight being held in Auckland.

Parker, who beat Andy Ruiz Jr by majority decision at Vector Arena, is scheduled to travel to Apia on Sunday with promoter David Higgins. He will do so in the knowledge that Hughie Fury is firming as his next opponent, with the Englishman's promoter Frank Warren stating Fury will take up his position as the mandatory challenger to Parker's title.

WBC champion Deontay Wilder was said to be in the mix for 22-year-old Fury, the cousin of Tyson Fury, but now it appears the camp have changed tack and are targeting the New Zealander.

In a piece written by Warren on his website, the promoter called the Parker v Ruiz Jr bout a "decent enough fight, without exactly having us on the edge of our armchairs and, in all honesty, I was expecting a little bit better from two young, unbeaten contenders.

"There was hardly anything in it, with neither of them particularly forcing the issue, but the right man probably got the nod in the end.

"It certainly wasn't one of those fights that left you craving a rematch and it is probably a good job because that is not an option.

"Parker must now defend against our own Hughie Fury, who officially holds mandatory status for a challenge for the WBO heavyweight title."

Parker's promoters Duco Events are keen to hold Parker's first defence in New Zealand. But if the money isn't right, their next option is likely to be in the United Kingdom, and either London or Manchester.

Warren is in no doubt where it should be held, and if the two camps can't agree on the money, it's likely to go to a purse bid - in other words, the highest bidder.

"I know Hughie was watching events in Auckland closely and wants the fight. He is right up for it so we will do our best and get it done for him," Warren wrote.

"We will enter into negotiations with the objective of bringing the fight over here. The worst case scenario is that it goes to purse bids and if it does, so be it.

"Bringing the fight to the UK market makes sense for both parties and it would be the perfect opportunity for Hughie to really put his stamp on the division and show the public what he is all about.

"He is a superbly talented individual who is so well drilled and schooled by his father Peter. All the tough and tricky learning fights he has been put through from such an early age will really serve him well now."

David Haye was made the mandatory challenger by the WBO when the Parker v Ruiz Jr was sanctioned by the organisation. However, he has instead made a fight against fellow Englishman Tony Bellew, a cruiserweight, for March.

The Samoa government chipped in more than $100,000 for Parker's fight last Saturday after Duco Events were unable to secure a partnership with local or central government in New Zealand.