Joseph Parker vs. Hughie Fury set for April 1st in Auckland

WBO president Francisco Valcarcel announced today that Duco Events, promoters of heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, have won the purse bid for Parker’s title defense against Hughie Fury. The fight will take place on April 1st in Parker’s native Auckland with a 60/40 split between champion and challenger.

The 25-year-old Parker (22-0, 18 KO) took a narrow decision over Andy Ruiz Jr. to win the title in December. While still among the most talented young heavyweights, his dominance hasn’t stayed consistent with the rise in competition. A decisive win over Fury would do a lot to reclaim his lost momentum.

Fury (20-0, 10 KO) had a terribly unremarkable 2016, defeating a long-since shot Dominick Guinn in March and taking a technical decision over Fred Kassi one month later. This isn’t entirely his fault, however; he was diagnosed with and treated for acne conglobata after the Kassi fight and was booked to face Ruiz before the latter pulled out at the last minute with promotional issues.

We’ll pass along broadcast and undercard details when we get them.