Joseph Parker vs. Junior Fa - February 27, 2021

[Ruthless-RKO]

There were negotiations for New Zealand showdown between Joseph Parker and Junior Fa, but the two sides were unable to agree on the money.

Parker, a former WBO heavyweight champion, and Fa, an undefeated contender, had met four times in the amateurs with each boxer gaining two wins.

Parker's manager, David Higgins, stated in a recent interview that Fa was a "sensible, realistic option" since both fighters were highly ranked under the WBO - with Parker ranked at two and Fa sitting in the number six position.

According to Parker, Fa and his team were asking for too much money - which led to their negotiations falling apart.

"It was in talks and there were discussions," Parker told Magic Talk.

"I said to my team if it is going to get me closer to a title, I will take it in a heartbeat, but they asked for too much money and they priced themselves out. We had four fights as amateurs, I don't have anything against him, and we're both top 10 fighters. If we did fight, I wouldn't be nervous, but the winner will get closer to a world title and the loser it would be the end of their career.

"We had four fights as amateurs, I don't have anything against him, and we're both top 10 fighters. If we did fight, I wouldn't be nervous, but the winner will get closer to a world title and the loser it would be the end of their career."

Parker has fought once this year, scoring a TKO win over Shawndell Winters in February. The 28-year-old was hopeful of fighting at least two more times in 2020, but those plans are on hold until the coronavirus pandemic has been resolved and restrictions are lifted.

Parker continues to work out every day in his gym in south Auckland.

"You can't change what has happened, 2020 is going to be a slow year for everyone. I'm lucky to have fought at the start of the year, but the goal for our team was to keep fighting, we were planning for three, four fights," Parker said.

"I'm keeping active at home, my weight is good and that's why I'm happy. When this is all over, and I get a call to fight someone I'll be ready."

[joshj909]

Fa looks nothing more than a domestic level fighter in a lower tier boxing nation. Parker doesn't need him. Fa's aim should be a move up to regional opponents such as the Zhang's, Fujimoto, McKean, Browne. It isn't even certain
he'd beat any of them let alone Parker.

[Enlightened-One]

A victory against Junior Fa doesn’t enhances Parker’s world title shot credentials, because he’s already second in line (behind Usyk) for the WBO title.

And Junior Fa isn’t rated any of the other governing bodies either.

I’m sure Eddie Hearn is capable of arranging bigger fights sometime down the road for Parker.

[KiwiRider]

There is a small beef relating back to their Am days. 2 apiece from 4 I think. I believe that both guys want this.
Fa isn't the deal maker, neither is Parker.
Fa's team value his "0" and want compensation for their investment, and Parker literally gains nothing in his title campaign.
Stalemate.

As for the potential fight outcome.
It has to be 80-20 in Parker's favour. Fa doesn't have the pop to keep Parker off him. I could easily see Fa taking a lot of shots.

[candyslim]

Fa has done nothing to justify his demand for NZ$ 1m, he hasn't even proved himself number two in NZ. There is reportedly little clamour for the fight, and I'm told most New Zealanders don't even know who Fa is.

He's asking Fa too much. Uaine't done enough Junior. I'd like to see him fight Demsey McKean or Hemi Ahio and start building some interest. (Not that they would necessarily want to fight him for the kind of money it would generate)

[nmhz]

I love how the NZ media play this as potentially the biggest domestic showdown in boxing history lol. Absolutely no chance this would sell better than Tua vs Cameron.

No one in NZ knows who Junior Fa is. He isn't a particularly exciting boxer and fights mostly out of the US.

[candyslim]

It's not a bad time for New Zealand in terms of heavyweights though, it seems to me (world health issues aside).

I mean Joseph Parker is a top ten fighter and can come again. Junior Fa needs to do a lot more to establish his credentials but he appears to have potential, arguably. Hemi Ahio suffers from being small for a heavyweight these days but he's progressing his career in the states. Then there is newcomer Patrick Mailata who is certainly big enough, young enough, and just maybe talented enough, to make an impact on the international scene. You Kiwis will obviously have abetter idea than me about that.

Contrast that with Ireland, a country of 50% greater population. They had three decent heavyweights a year or two back. Niall Kennedy lost last year to Devin Vargas which suggests he's not going much further at the age of 35. Big Sexy Sean Turner has suffered a few demoralizing defeats and appears to have hung 'em up and I've no idea what happened to Conn Sheehan who I thought the most likely to progress. So now there's just Kennedy and Nevin is it, who I know nothing about.

[gregregegg]

fights not realy there yet (unlessess NZ gets corona sorted first and can run the first decent sized card. in witch case boxing fans are starved and would actuly notice it.)
otherwise, Fa has a decent WBO ranking now. should be able to use that to find decent fights. Few decent wins over faded names could get him the recognition to make this a fight.. say Lucus brown>Price/allen>Parker kinda thing.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Parker's Manager: Fa is Not Realistic, Wants Astronomical Money

According to David Higgins, the manager for former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, potential challenger Junior Fa is asking for far too much money.

As BS.com previously reported, Fa and his manager Mark Keddell believe the money being requested is not unreasonable, because the contest would create a big event in New Zealand between two boxers who are highly ranked in the top ten of the WBO.

The two fighters collided four times in the amateurs - with each man walking away with two wins.

While Fa and his handlers believe their demands are justified - Higgins claims the requested sum is more money than what Parker would make for the fight.

Because of the financial disagreement between the two teams, the negotiations have fallen apart.

"They are pricing themselves out, asking for nearly a million dollars in the middle of a lockdown," Higgins said to Newshub. "It's silly and Joseph isn't taking it seriously. We are going to end these discussions now, because they don't realistically want the fight. If they do, they know where we are, but they need to be realistic with their financial demands.

"Mark is a former pub owner, who is doing a bit of boxing stuff as a hobby. He knows I have been looking after Joseph since day one, and he became the fourth-youngest ever champion and he set up his family for life, so I must be doing something right. They don't want anything to do with Joseph Parker - it's just gamesmanship. The fight is there if they want it, but they don't.

"I don't think the Fa team are being realistic about the money. What they are asking for is astronomical - Junior Fa is asking for more money than Joseph Parker."

[joshj909]

Parker's Manager: Fa is Not Realistic, Wants Astronomical Money

According to David Higgins, the manager for former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, potential challenger Junior Fa is asking for far too much money.

As BS.com previously reported, Fa and his manager Mark Keddell believe the money being requested is not unreasonable, because the contest would create a big event in New Zealand between two boxers who are highly ranked in the top ten of the WBO.

The two fighters collided four times in the amateurs - with each man walking away with two wins.

While Fa and his handlers believe their demands are justified - Higgins claims the requested sum is more money than what Parker would make for the fight.

Because of the financial disagreement between the two teams, the negotiations have fallen apart.

"They are pricing themselves out, asking for nearly a million dollars in the middle of a lockdown," Higgins said to Newshub. "It's silly and Joseph isn't taking it seriously. We are going to end these discussions now, because they don't realistically want the fight. If they do, they know where we are, but they need to be realistic with their financial demands.

"Mark is a former pub owner, who is doing a bit of boxing stuff as a hobby. He knows I have been looking after Joseph since day one, and he became the fourth-youngest ever champion and he set up his family for life, so I must be doing something right. They don't want anything to do with Joseph Parker - it's just gamesmanship. The fight is there if they want it, but they don't.

"I don't think the Fa team are being realistic about the money. What they are asking for is astronomical - Junior Fa is asking for more money than Joseph Parker."

If they're asking for a million NZ dollars (about £500k) then that's still ludicrous money for Fa. If that's USD then that's even more laughable. Ruiz reportedly got £770k against Parker in NZ for a title fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

If they're asking for a million NZ dollars (about £500k) then that's still ludicrous money for Fa. If that's USD then that's even more laughable. Ruiz reportedly got £770k against Parker in NZ for a title fight.

He clearly wants the momney more than the fight.

Also, he's taunting Parker saying he's beaten him 4 times in the ams. I believe it's really 2-2.

At least Parker has proven himself at pro level, Fa ain't done shitt

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joseph Parker vs. Junior Fa - Teams Continue Heated Talks To Finalize Deal

The negotiations have resumed for a heavyweight grudge match between Joseph Parker and Junior Fa.

Parker, a former WBO world champion, had planned to fight again in August or September. That plan may get pushed back as talks continue for the Fa encounter.

Parker and his handlers have tried several times to make the Fa fight happen, but they never get close to agreeing on the financial aspects of the deal.

Parker and Fa fought four times in the amateurs, with each man walking away with two wins.

Parker's manager David Higgins explains that they offered Fa a big purse - and have yet to hear a response.

"Two days ago we offered Junior Fa more than $500,000 [New Zealand dollars] to fight Joseph Parker. That's 10 times the biggest fight he's ever had. The second-biggest fight in the history of New Zealand. The only bigger purse has been when Parker fought Andy Ruiz Jr and won the world title. Junior Fa was offered the second biggest purse ever to fight the guy he had been calling out for two years. We can't get a response. The only explanation is Junior Fa is using Joseph Parker to build his name and then he's offered $500,000, enough to buy a house, and he runs," Higgins told Sky Sports.

But Fa's promoter, Lou DiBella, says the offer is not as great as Higgins makes it out to be.

"That's simply not true. I don't believe in negotiating through the press, that's not how it's done when you really want to make a fight. The guaranteed money in the offer was $200,000 US. I found the offer, guarantee and upside, to be totally unacceptable for one of the biggest fights in New Zealand boxing history. I didn't accept it. I will be discussing it further with Junior's team shortly," DiBella said.

"Under Higgins' offer, the fight would need to do huge business for the Fa side to see $500,000 NZ between us. They can't assert how big the fight is and act like Junior is an insignificant participant."

[margaret thatcher]

Fa can't really be too choosy, he will get found out when he fights anyone good and quite possibly before that, and not like he's some sort of draw on his own

[margaret thatcher]

lol Lou Dibella, dude goes through the media all the time, wtf is he talking about. Reminds me of team Wilder (aka team instagram offer) saying they don't like Hearn 'negotiating' in public

[joshj909]

But Fa's promoter, Lou DiBella, says the offer is not as great as Higgins makes it out to be.

"That's simply not true. I don't believe in negotiating through the press, that's not how it's done when you really want to make a fight. The guaranteed money in the offer was $200,000 US. I found the offer, guarantee and upside, to be totally unacceptable for one of the biggest fights in New Zealand boxing history. I didn't accept it. I will be discussing it further with Junior's team shortly," DiBella said.

"Under Higgins' offer, the fight would need to do huge business for the Fa side to see $500,000 NZ between us. They can't assert how big the fight is and act like Junior is an insignificant participant."

Why does it matter what the purse is in US dollars instead of NZ dollars? That doesn't make Fa's proposed purse look smaller, it just amplifies how little he's actually worth as he's never made more than 10x less than that in a fight. Why should someone who makes under US$20k a fight get much more than US$200k for this one?

[margaret thatcher]

Some dudes have weird money ideas. I've seen dudes legit say a fighter should turn down a billion dollar payday if the opponent was taking 10 billion, because well that wud be an unfair split. F@cking loon

[margaret thatcher]

And lol, I thought Lou doesn't talk about this stuff in public

[Ruthless-RKO]

And lol, I thought Lou doesn't talk about this stuff in public

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joseph Parker v Junior Fa superfight edging closer to reality

There's growing optimism an all-Kiwi heavyweight boxing showdown between Joseph Parker and Junior Fa could happen before the end of the year.

Both parties confirmed a deal is close on Thursday, as the sides edge closer to an agreement on money.

It's a match up Kiwi fight fans want to see. Parker is the former WBO heavyweight champion and Fa is a rising undefeated contender, who has worked his way inside the top 10 in the world.

[joshj909]

Joseph Parker v Junior Fa superfight edging closer to reality

There's growing optimism an all-Kiwi heavyweight boxing showdown between Joseph Parker and Junior Fa could happen before the end of the year.

Both parties confirmed a deal is close on Thursday, as the sides edge closer to an agreement on money.

It's a match up Kiwi fight fans want to see. Parker is the former WBO heavyweight champion and Fa is a rising undefeated contender, who has worked his way inside the top 10 in the world.

"Superfight" the phrase has really lost its meaning to marketing.

Hopefully this fight does get made so Parker can beat him and move onwards and upwards.

[Ruthless-RKO]

"Superfight" the phrase has really lost its meaning to marketing.

Hopefully this fight does get made so Parker can beat him and move onwards and upwards.

I wonder if it's even classed as a superfight down under..

Probably be ppv.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joseph Parker vs. Junior Fa Talks Intensify, Fight Inches Closer

Eddie Hearn, who has a multi-fight deal with Parker, did not reveal the opponent but recently stated that he's close to getting a deal done for a "great fight" to take place on a date in October.

"It will be our first show in New Zealand and we're planning a great fight for him," Hearn said to IFL TV. "Looks like it'll be in October. It'll be a major coup to get this over the line."

David Higgins, the manager for Parker, admits that a date in October is likely too soon - but he revealed that the negotiations to finalize a fight with Fa have resumed.

"Yes, negotiations had stalled but there have been vigorous talks behind the scenes and the fight is a lot closer to reality than it was a couple of months ago," Higgins said to the New Zealand Herald.

"We've been in negotiations now for six months and that's how long it took to put the Tua-Cameron fight together and Parker versus Joshua, so it's nothing new in terms of that. I have to say they're [the Fa camp] still being a touch greedy but if we can close the gap a bit we'll have something to announce very shortly."

According to the Herald, Fa is guaranteed a $500,000 purse and potentially a cut of pay-per-view for additional money.

Fa's handlers would not discuss the current situation with the negotiations to fight Parker, but acknowledged that "we are very close".

[Enlightened-One]

A victory over Junior Fa doesn't really do anything for Parker's career, other than receiving a decent payday for a straight forward stay busy type fight.

This is just a domestic bust-up and a backward step for Parker, because he's accustomed to operating at world-level.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Easy money for parker. Eventually hes going to have to face one of the up and comers to get another crack at a title

[gregregegg]

If NZ can have unrestricted crowds Then this is the fight to do. Have to stack the under card with NZ tallent, (and mabey some Aus talent if you can quarantine them in). Cant see Parker getting another big fight this year, and he should win comfortably, and it should help him hold onto his WBO ranking of 2 , witch is critical, because i think theres a decent chance AJ drops WBO to fight fury, in witch case Parker is inline to get a world title shot vs Usyk in the first half of 2021.