On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave and Jason Pine for Thursday May 1, 2025 - David Higgins, Joe Parker's promoter, discusses the announcement of Dubois v Usyk, and what it mean's for Parkers title hopes going forward - can he just 'trust' the process?
D’Arcy delivers an opinion on the changing of the guard at the Black Ferns.
Plus, the lads jump in the panel to discuss the 'RunItStraight' sport coming to New Zealand's shores - does it need to be banned before it starts?
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks'd be follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Welcome to Sportsfex, your daily dose of sport.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Hello there, and welcome into the Sportspex podcast for the
very first day of May, May date, twenty twenty five.
The first off, I'm Jason Pine.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
And I'm Darcy Waller.
Speaker 4 (00:31):
Goody boney, Darcy, Good to chat sport with you.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
We haven't even started yet and I'm already feeling a
sense of anticipation about what the next twenty minutes might hold.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
There's you, there's me.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
What about a guest we're going to be talking to?
Dare I do this impersonation in case he Here's what
all we're going to be talking to David Higgins. David,
of course, is the manager slash promoter of Joe Parker,
talking about this title shot that is likely to get
and what happens between now and then. And it is
heavyweight boxing, so there are no definitives, pining, none at
(01:05):
all all.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Right, looking forward to hearing from David. I've got some
as I know you will on the Blackfern squad and
also the possibility of Wrexham and the Wellington Phoenix squaring
off in July in what would be an off season
freemly for both of those teams, so plenty to get
stuck into. Let's get into it.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
In other news, let's.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Get underway with some of the big sports stories around today.
Blackfern's coach Alan Bunting has no concerns about integrating five
seven stars into the fifteenth environment for the upcoming pack
for series starting in Australia on Saturday week.
Speaker 5 (01:41):
Attributes it the seven to eighties bring. It's either instinctive
players and probably to the professional habits and that they're
not going to just walk in and play and they're
going to have to do in this spot and there's
a little bit of learning that the professionalism and the
way they grow and drive with the field that's going
to enheart you.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Environment seven time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has advanced to the
semi finals of the World Snooker Champs at the Crucible
and Sheffield.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
If anyone says you can't win an eight citle, you
just cover looks at these lights too, Traves untell me
why not.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
O'Sullivan's held off a fight back from China's cg Owe
to win thirteen frames to nine and host Barcelona and
Into Milan have played out a pulsating three all draw
in League one of their Champions League semi finals some night.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Here in Barcelona, where it finishes three to three.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
Everything we could have hoped for, we've got us avillion.
It's Sportsfix with Jason Hine and Dussie.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Walder Grave and it's a big hello now to our
guest on Sports Fixed podcast, that is David Higgins, promoter
and manager of Joe Parker aka Explosive Joseph Jurassic Parker.
Gooda David to be on the show and great to
have you on board. Look, I did an editorial in
our podcast, The Sports Fix a few days ago saying
(02:59):
Joseph Parker just has to be patient, that's it, and
he'll get his shot. Patience grass of it day after
his shots coming, which is fantastic because something that Joseph
has done now for the last few years, he showed
astonishing patients, hasn't he Yeah, one hundred percent right, Patients
is what it's about winning and patients, and it's the
same way he got the Andrew Rees title shot at
(03:22):
twenty sixteen.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Like you can try do voodoo.
Speaker 6 (03:25):
And lobby, the sanction bodies and all sorts of things.
But really, if you fight off and you win and
your patient, you will get your title shots.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Well this is it, though, because he's normally a very
active boxer. In the last few years he's not been
active at all. But it doesn't seem to have taken
away from what he provides in the ring, like he's
a better fighter than he ever has been. But it
must be frustrating that he's not getting that time in
the squared circle. So does anything change now yet?
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Before the next I'll just pull you up.
Speaker 6 (03:55):
There have been periods of six months or so out,
but let's look at the last the last fourteen months,
he's won five in a row. He would have been
one of the most active heavyweights in the world over
that sort of forty to eighteen month period. October and
a half ago he beat Simon Keane first fight in
Saudi Arabia, landed the shots underdog against Wilder, shot the world,
(04:17):
beat Wilder, then three months later backed up against Zang.
No one gave him a chance beat Zang and then
Bakoli and so that He's been quite active lately, but
there have been frustrating periods where you know, leading into
Savor Joe Joyce fight, where he's been out of the
ring for eight months or.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
Whatever, there've been periods of long inactivity. But now he's
feeling good about it. So when when's the fight happening?
Plainly it's being made and you're an association with Frank
Warren and how that goes, So timing wise, what happens now?
Speaker 6 (04:49):
Well, the big fight's been made, the unification, which is
USUK versus to Bar at Wembley, and and that should
be made because that'll sort out who the unders world
heavyweight world champion is. And so Joseph will have another
fight in the middle of the year, the second or third,
(05:09):
and then he'll it's being said he'll fight the winner
of dub which is great, but I wouldn't expect that
shot against the winner to happen until the end of
the year or early next year. And of course it
also depends on Joseph winning his fights in the middle
of this year.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Where's he gonna fight?
Speaker 3 (05:27):
You got anyone lined up? Where are you going with that?
One day?
Speaker 6 (05:30):
There's there's there's there's a handful of names floating around,
names like Philippe Herkovic, Fabio Wardley, Billian White, Lawrence Coley.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
So there's a handful of names that are.
Speaker 6 (05:44):
Just below that elite or sort of usk level that
would be tricky fights and big fights, and I suspect
it'll be someone of that ilk who he'd fight in
the third quarter and then so long as he wins
his pole position front runner to fight for the undistributed
the heavyweight world championship.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
When it comes to making fights like that, and considering
the trajectory he's been on recently, is he a difficult
sell to make fights? Considering what he brings to the party,
These guys likely to put their records on the line,
or does it work the other way around? They really
want to wipe this guy out?
Speaker 6 (06:25):
No, I think your first scenario is right when you're
winning like Josephs and on the roll and you've just
knocked out Picoli, who was meant to be unknockable outable, which.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
Is a new word. When you've just done that, people
don't want to fight you.
Speaker 6 (06:38):
The risk return doesn't stack up, so it's tricky to
land opponents, and the only way to do it is,
of course money.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
The Benjamin's all about the benjamins.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
And there's plenty of that floating around in the boxing
world right now. Well, what does he stand to make
out of something like this? I mean, you're not going
to give me private figures, but he's right up there
in big payday now.
Speaker 6 (06:58):
You Yeah, so the Nicks fights a few million bucks?
I can't tell you exactly, but he's got to a
level through thirteen years of hard work as professional and
you know, many years as an amateur he started when
he was two years old, he's got to a level
at the top of the pyramid where he's commanding quite
good money and deservedly.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
So what does Joseph make of all of this? Houses
excitement level? I expect bursting, but not showing it.
Speaker 6 (07:25):
Oh no, Joseph always call as a cucumber. Like if
an elephant walked past and wearing a tushin, he wouldn't
blink or comments.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
I would one if that's ever actually happened. As far
as the fight itself, well what happens? I mean, this
is Usik B. Duboy and we know there's been some
good niggle on that one as well. Re the below
the belt shot from Usak last time he fought du
Why what happens after that though? Will us carry on?
I think he said he has got a couple more
(07:56):
fights in him, But if he brings back these title
becomes unified again, there might be a chance he'll walk away.
So how do you know who you might be fighting.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
Well, you don't know. You need a crystal ball.
Speaker 6 (08:08):
And that's why stuff like the recent comments is still speculation.
Like personally, I think Usik will beat Dubais. I think
Usik is one of the greatest ever, if not number
one pounds pounds. You know, it came up from cruiserweight
and then beat Joshua twice in Fury twice and it's
sort of.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
Overlooked a bit.
Speaker 6 (08:27):
What an achievement that is unbeaten at both divisions, So
he's one of the greats. I think he'll beat Dubois,
and you're right, he might retire. If he retires, it'll
be a you know, a bit of a scramble and
a bit of politicking to work out who fights who
for a vacant belt. Then again, you know these guys
tend to fight on a bit, and it'll be massive
(08:49):
money on the table, and you know, what else is
he going to do? He might continue if Dubois beats Susiic,
it's a bit easier because Parker Dubais would be a
massive fight in at Wembley, say for the unification, and
you know, for the undisputed that made sense Parker fighting Usik,
a Ukrainian versus a key.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
We make fleift fence in the UK and the money's
not as much.
Speaker 6 (09:13):
Maybe in Saudi Arabia it works, but so you're yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
You're right to point out there's.
Speaker 6 (09:19):
A lot of maschinations to play out before Joseph gets
his hands on the prize.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
First and foremost, what do you have to do though,
David Higgins as the manager, what's your next step as
far as carrying on towards this five because, as you said,
very much up in the air, and that's the nature
of boxing full start.
Speaker 6 (09:37):
Well, my main job is the will make and contract negotiation,
and so each of Joseph's contracts throughout his professional career
has had my eye over it and details negotiated.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
It's quite strict. It's like a game of chess in
a way.
Speaker 6 (09:51):
And you know, now that Joseph's up the top, it's
sometimes a bit easier because he's winning so well. But
there's big sums of money and big risks involved, so
it's contract negotiation and then just working with Joseph on
stuff outside of the ring, like sponsorships.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
And media and and that and the other.
Speaker 6 (10:08):
I mean, we're a tight, small team that worked closely together.
And you know Andy Lee that the head trainer, and
then you've got George Lockart nutrition and conditioning, and both
have been a massive reason why Joseph's looking so good.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Not only he's looking good, but it appears that maturity
is working well for him. He's growing into his role
of who he is. He's never put it down. He's
never given up and said I'm a journeyman. He's still
persistent in what he wants, but he seems to have
got this level of maturity about how he goes about
his business. He's not prone to leaping out of the
corner nown throwing haymakers left, right and center. He's actually boxing.
(10:51):
He's a pugilist.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (10:53):
Well, he hasn't given up like he You know that
a few years ago people were saying he should retire,
but he didn't. He changed some personnel and doubled down
and identify had mistakes and learns from them, and so
he's gone back to the drawing board, trial and error
and changed a lot of the things, and he's come
back better than ever.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Like imagine, if su Edmund Hilary.
Speaker 6 (11:15):
Had stopped halfway up Everest, he would have never got
top I.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Don't know, he wouldn't interesting analogy there. So first and foremost,
when we likely to know when his first fight is
going to be, ahead of this unification, you've got a
rough idea about possible landing that particular bit.
Speaker 6 (11:33):
Yeah, I'd be picking in August or September fight possibly
in the United Kingdom, but it could be Saudi and
I we're expecting some written offer or details to be
put to us by Queensburry in the coming few weeks.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Fantastic Queensberry of course. Frank Warren there in cohoots right now,
looking to Joe Parker picking up four straps going to
be huge. But first and foremost, let's get this next
one done. David Higgins, never a chat. Thanks very much
for your time.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
Thanks sar See, you appreciate it. Sports perfect.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
You've gotta love a good changing of the guard, and
that is what's happening in the Black Ferns right now.
They have got a defense of a rugby World coming
up in August, and they're starting to ring the changes
to try and secure that trophy again. Out with some
of the old, in with some of the new, and
(12:26):
carrying on with some of the established stars in the team,
some girls from the sevens coming back into the fold again.
So much to look at what it says to me
that Alan Bunting is prepared to make the tough calls
for the strength of his team. When you look at
the likes of Rene Holmes at fullback, Ruby Dewhey Chelsea Bremner,
(12:47):
you think, wow, these athletes are unlucky. They are quality players.
They're not out completely. They might get a chance to
get back into the training squad before the team for
the World Cup is announced, but they've got their work
cut out. But we're looking at returning players like Stacy Waka,
like Teresa Setefano. Fantastic players have back involved in the program.
(13:11):
You look at the established players who are still there
and will have a massive sway on the team, the
likes of u Hey Demand for example, Sylvia Brunt, Let's
go to Mike Evanakalani Ruz. What are player still there
involved Vajacolos still out in the wing and Poorsha Woodman
Wickcliffe making this wonderful comeback into the side. Braxton Sorenson
(13:34):
McGhee is something else. She runs like a ghost. She's
a will of the Wisp and could be the excitement
player from the upcoming World Cup. But let's not forget
the other new ladies that are there across from seven's.
Georgia Miller is around, Recye Pory Lane comes into the fold,
and then you look at Vicky rose Green, what about
(13:56):
Visena Mahotriki. These are young players who are climbing into
the team for the first time and are going to
try and make every post a winner. Forget the likes
of Asa Leting. What an amazing player. Georgia ponts me
up the front row. This is a good looking squad.
(14:17):
There's still room for players to leave and players to
break their way back in again. But that is the
kind of competition that coach Alan Bunting wants and I'd
suggest he gon' get it.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
We are now in session on Sports.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
Into the chamber we go. Interesting thoughts on the black
ferns do look I mean, at the risk of repeating yourself,
do you like what Alan Bunting has done here?
Speaker 3 (14:43):
Really important that he not acts as some of the
older players but says, hey, you get a bit more
work to do, and then brings in some of the
younger players, and then you've got that set middle band
of superstars too, creating internal competition. What more do you
want on a team?
Speaker 2 (15:00):
And any team? You're so right. I mean they'll all
tell you coaches that the best headache they can have
is a selection headache when they really not sure which
quality players to leave out. When you're scrambling around for
quality players to bring in, that's when you know you've
got real problems. Obviously, there are some young up and
comers and Braxton Sorenson McGee, the eighteen year old Blues fallback,
(15:24):
is the most obvious one who am really curious to
see whether she can make the step up. But any
good team, and any sport does needs regeneration.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
Does not that what it does? But also you need
that hardcore metal band that are going to keep the
energy going. And when you look at some of the players,
the ones that are coming back from from sevens for
a start in Teresa Setefano, and that is great, and
then hey, Dumont, who's a fantastic player, Mike Evan Calani, Russ.
(15:53):
You've got that hard core Georgia Ponsonby in the front row,
you've got that meat in the sandwich. And now we're
working out who the older ones are going to push
the way back in again and what about the younger
ones keeping their place because I think both ends.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
They've got plenty to prove and first major step along
the road to the defense of the women's rugby world capital.
Yeah no, I said that, but I know there's an
argument here.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
It's not a defense. They've got to win it all
over again, isn't that what you keep hearing?
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (16:21):
I know so.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
I mean theoretically you're right, and they will say that too.
How do you defend? They'll say, no, we're not at
to defend. We're just out to win it and it
will take a lot because as we know. I don't
know whether you've watched any of England over the last
little while, but they look like a very very very
good rugby team.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Does Yeah, well, that's what happens when you make them
professional early and fund them today.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
No surprise is here, No, you're dead right, Let's move
to football. Where the Wellington Phoenix bring the curtain down
on their A League season tomorrow night, a very disappointing season.
They'll host Perth Glory and then go away and lick
their wounds and start planning for next season. But they
can probably plan. All signs point to a visit from
Wrexham in July. What do you make of this?
Speaker 3 (17:04):
Well, they beat Auckland FC in something I'm getting hold
of Wrexham. They've got the upper hand on that. I'm interested.
How hard you're lobbying to get the commentary job there, Jason.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Well, I mean, I'll certainly be putting my hat in
the ring, as it were. I'll be making myself big
as a goalkeeper would in football. Look, I mean, you know,
any game of any game of the sport we love you.
Put your hand up four lock. That's the funny thing
about Wrexham is that most people probably would be able
to name their Hollywood star owners more readily than they
would any of their players. But this is a team
(17:37):
that's done, you know, done some amazing things in the
last three seasons, three straight promotions. Yes, driven by major
investment from Ryan Reynolds and Robert McElhenny, but The fact
remains they've got themselves to within one tier of the
Premier League and they have an enormously high profile through
their owners and also through the reality series nor.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Their league jumping. That's what they're doing. They're doing it
so well. It might be a different step to get
into the EPL itself. But from your point of view,
knowing football as you do, money sure is one thing.
What else has got these guys up through several leagues?
Speaker 2 (18:13):
Well, you're so right, because you know, you often hear
about a team coming into buy a championship, but there
are any number of examples of billionaire gazillionaire owners supposedly
buying up the best players but not being able to
find any on field chemistry. That's clearly what Rerexham have.
They do have that on field chemistry, and I think
also there's a little bit of I don't know whether
(18:35):
you'd call it desperation. I think that's probably the wrong word.
But players who probably never expect it to be in
the situation that they are, i e. One step below
the Premier League, who are just making the most of
this right, enjoying this right. Yes, they've added players every
year as they've gone up tier and if they were
to find their way into the Premier League, sure they'd
have to have to spend some more money. But I
(18:56):
just think there's a real togetherness about this team and
a wave of momentum behind them.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
So in essence, it's a team.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
There you go.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
It sounds really obvious, but that's what it comes down
to as well. I think we all want them to
go further and go well if they managed to sell
their ground out for the next twenty years. Actually where
are they based, what's the I don't even know the
name of their ground.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Well, the name of their ground is Vetch Field. That's
where Wrexham play their home ground home games, and they
left to add some capacity because it was really designed
when they weren't a big team, they were just kind
of you know, they're a Welsh side that's always been
involved in the UK Football League but have never reached
the heights that they could possibly reach over the next
(19:39):
little while. So it's probably worth a visit at some
stage to Vetch Field in Wrexham where you can watch
the team play. Hey, just before we exit the chamber today,
have you seen this footage of I don't even want
to call it a sport. Run it is what it's called,
which is basically two people just running headlong into one another.
(20:01):
Have you seen this?
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (20:02):
I have.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
There was the famous one put up on the Herald,
which wasn't actually part of that Run It League, if
you could call it that, but it was a similar
exercise where the guy went down in a heat and
started convulsing on the ground.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
Which is, well it is.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
It's vile. I don't know he could call it a sport.
What I want to know in acc do they cover
stuff like this or do they go hold on, mate,
this is not sport. This is Darwin Awards in real life.
We're having a bar of it, mate, because they're the ones,
and then directly directly us we're going to be paying
for this idiocy.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
If you haven't seen this, it's called run It Straight,
which actually is an official thing. It's called the Run
It Championship League. The footage you're talking about, which actually
made me feel physically ill when I watched it. I've
got a teenage son and if I ever saw him
involved in something like that, I would fear for his
well being. The Run It Championship League is basically they're
(20:59):
touting it as a new combat sport that mirrors rugby
league union and AFL. It's just two people running headlong
at one another. Surely that is to be, you know,
beyond the realms of what sport actually is.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
If you've seen power slap.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
I have seen power slap, and actually now you're mention that.
Look if that can, if that can be officially sanctioned,
then I suppose run at can as well. But I honestly,
I look, I'm almost at a loss for words.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
Stars.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
So now they're going to bring back justing next Jousting's
coming back. The run at each other with a great,
big long spear. That's the idea. Yeah, look, it's beyond me.
But hey, if people want to do it, knock yourself out, which.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
They will, which they will.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
Just signed the schemer, please, because I don't want to
pay for your stupidity.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
No, no, nobody wants that. All right, that's us in
the chamber for today sex And having exited the chamber,
we now exit the Sports Fixed podcast. Thank you so
much for listening, and today a freeh episode WI drop
into your podcast feed tomorrow provided you subscribe to us,
which you should not.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
Only should you subscribe to tell your friends, your family,
your workmates and as I always say, anybody you run
into that they should subscribe to the Sports Fix. It'll
come to you on a week daily basis and if
you want some sport talk, you can engage in yourself.
Speaker 4 (22:21):
Well.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Monday, Juda, wednes A, Thursday Friday between seven eight pm
on News Talk ZB we have Sports Talk, Jason Pine's Monday,
I have the Rest and of course Piney.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
On the weekend what do you Do midday till three
Saturday and Sunday, the show is called Weekend Sport and
as always, as with sports Talk weeknights, we love to
engage with you, so please feel free to join us.
That is us on Sports Fix Sport Today, with thanks
to GJ. Gardner homes New Zealand's most trusted homebuilder.
Speaker 4 (22:48):
For more from News.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
Talk ZEDB, listen live on air or online, and keep
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Welcome to Sportsfex, your daily dose of sport.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Hello there, and welcome into the Sportspex podcast for the
very first day of May, May date, twenty twenty five.
The first off, I'm Jason Pine.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
And I'm Darcy Waller.
Speaker 4 (00:31):
Goody boney, Darcy, Good to chat sport with you.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
We haven't even started yet and I'm already feeling a
sense of anticipation about what the next twenty minutes might hold.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
There's you, there's me.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
What about a guest we're going to be talking to?
Dare I do this impersonation in case he Here's what
all we're going to be talking to David Higgins. David,
of course, is the manager slash promoter of Joe Parker,
talking about this title shot that is likely to get
and what happens between now and then. And it is
heavyweight boxing, so there are no definitives, pining, none at
(01:05):
all all.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Right, looking forward to hearing from David. I've got some
as I know you will on the Blackfern squad and
also the possibility of Wrexham and the Wellington Phoenix squaring
off in July in what would be an off season
freemly for both of those teams, so plenty to get
stuck into. Let's get into it.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
In other news, let's.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Get underway with some of the big sports stories around today.
Blackfern's coach Alan Bunting has no concerns about integrating five
seven stars into the fifteenth environment for the upcoming pack
for series starting in Australia on Saturday week.
Speaker 5 (01:41):
Attributes it the seven to eighties bring. It's either instinctive
players and probably to the professional habits and that they're
not going to just walk in and play and they're
going to have to do in this spot and there's
a little bit of learning that the professionalism and the
way they grow and drive with the field that's going
to enheart you.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Environment seven time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has advanced to the
semi finals of the World Snooker Champs at the Crucible
and Sheffield.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
If anyone says you can't win an eight citle, you
just cover looks at these lights too, Traves untell me
why not.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
O'Sullivan's held off a fight back from China's cg Owe
to win thirteen frames to nine and host Barcelona and
Into Milan have played out a pulsating three all draw
in League one of their Champions League semi finals some night.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Here in Barcelona, where it finishes three to three.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
Everything we could have hoped for, we've got us avillion.
It's Sportsfix with Jason Hine and Dussie.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Walder Grave and it's a big hello now to our
guest on Sports Fixed podcast, that is David Higgins, promoter
and manager of Joe Parker aka Explosive Joseph Jurassic Parker.
Gooda David to be on the show and great to
have you on board. Look, I did an editorial in
our podcast, The Sports Fix a few days ago saying
(02:59):
Joseph Parker just has to be patient, that's it, and
he'll get his shot. Patience grass of it day after
his shots coming, which is fantastic because something that Joseph
has done now for the last few years, he showed
astonishing patients, hasn't he Yeah, one hundred percent right, Patients
is what it's about winning and patients, and it's the
same way he got the Andrew Rees title shot at
(03:22):
twenty sixteen.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Like you can try do voodoo.
Speaker 6 (03:25):
And lobby, the sanction bodies and all sorts of things.
But really, if you fight off and you win and
your patient, you will get your title shots.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Well this is it, though, because he's normally a very
active boxer. In the last few years he's not been
active at all. But it doesn't seem to have taken
away from what he provides in the ring, like he's
a better fighter than he ever has been. But it
must be frustrating that he's not getting that time in
the squared circle. So does anything change now yet?
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Before the next I'll just pull you up.
Speaker 6 (03:55):
There have been periods of six months or so out,
but let's look at the last the last fourteen months,
he's won five in a row. He would have been
one of the most active heavyweights in the world over
that sort of forty to eighteen month period. October and
a half ago he beat Simon Keane first fight in
Saudi Arabia, landed the shots underdog against Wilder, shot the world,
(04:17):
beat Wilder, then three months later backed up against Zang.
No one gave him a chance beat Zang and then
Bakoli and so that He's been quite active lately, but
there have been frustrating periods where you know, leading into
Savor Joe Joyce fight, where he's been out of the
ring for eight months or.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
Whatever, there've been periods of long inactivity. But now he's
feeling good about it. So when when's the fight happening?
Plainly it's being made and you're an association with Frank
Warren and how that goes, So timing wise, what happens now?
Speaker 6 (04:49):
Well, the big fight's been made, the unification, which is
USUK versus to Bar at Wembley, and and that should
be made because that'll sort out who the unders world
heavyweight world champion is. And so Joseph will have another
fight in the middle of the year, the second or third,
(05:09):
and then he'll it's being said he'll fight the winner
of dub which is great, but I wouldn't expect that
shot against the winner to happen until the end of
the year or early next year. And of course it
also depends on Joseph winning his fights in the middle
of this year.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Where's he gonna fight?
Speaker 3 (05:27):
You got anyone lined up? Where are you going with that?
One day?
Speaker 6 (05:30):
There's there's there's there's a handful of names floating around,
names like Philippe Herkovic, Fabio Wardley, Billian White, Lawrence Coley.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
So there's a handful of names that are.
Speaker 6 (05:44):
Just below that elite or sort of usk level that
would be tricky fights and big fights, and I suspect
it'll be someone of that ilk who he'd fight in
the third quarter and then so long as he wins
his pole position front runner to fight for the undistributed
the heavyweight world championship.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
When it comes to making fights like that, and considering
the trajectory he's been on recently, is he a difficult
sell to make fights? Considering what he brings to the party,
These guys likely to put their records on the line,
or does it work the other way around? They really
want to wipe this guy out?
Speaker 6 (06:25):
No, I think your first scenario is right when you're
winning like Josephs and on the roll and you've just
knocked out Picoli, who was meant to be unknockable outable, which.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
Is a new word. When you've just done that, people
don't want to fight you.
Speaker 6 (06:38):
The risk return doesn't stack up, so it's tricky to
land opponents, and the only way to do it is,
of course money.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
The Benjamin's all about the benjamins.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
And there's plenty of that floating around in the boxing
world right now. Well, what does he stand to make
out of something like this? I mean, you're not going
to give me private figures, but he's right up there
in big payday now.
Speaker 6 (06:58):
You Yeah, so the Nicks fights a few million bucks?
I can't tell you exactly, but he's got to a
level through thirteen years of hard work as professional and
you know, many years as an amateur he started when
he was two years old, he's got to a level
at the top of the pyramid where he's commanding quite
good money and deservedly.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
So what does Joseph make of all of this? Houses
excitement level? I expect bursting, but not showing it.
Speaker 6 (07:25):
Oh no, Joseph always call as a cucumber. Like if
an elephant walked past and wearing a tushin, he wouldn't
blink or comments.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
I would one if that's ever actually happened. As far
as the fight itself, well what happens? I mean, this
is Usik B. Duboy and we know there's been some
good niggle on that one as well. Re the below
the belt shot from Usak last time he fought du
Why what happens after that though? Will us carry on?
I think he said he has got a couple more
(07:56):
fights in him, But if he brings back these title
becomes unified again, there might be a chance he'll walk away.
So how do you know who you might be fighting.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
Well, you don't know. You need a crystal ball.
Speaker 6 (08:08):
And that's why stuff like the recent comments is still speculation.
Like personally, I think Usik will beat Dubais. I think
Usik is one of the greatest ever, if not number
one pounds pounds. You know, it came up from cruiserweight
and then beat Joshua twice in Fury twice and it's
sort of.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
Overlooked a bit.
Speaker 6 (08:27):
What an achievement that is unbeaten at both divisions, So
he's one of the greats. I think he'll beat Dubois,
and you're right, he might retire. If he retires, it'll
be a you know, a bit of a scramble and
a bit of politicking to work out who fights who
for a vacant belt. Then again, you know these guys
tend to fight on a bit, and it'll be massive
(08:49):
money on the table, and you know, what else is
he going to do? He might continue if Dubois beats Susiic,
it's a bit easier because Parker Dubais would be a
massive fight in at Wembley, say for the unification, and
you know, for the undisputed that made sense Parker fighting Usik,
a Ukrainian versus a key.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
We make fleift fence in the UK and the money's
not as much.
Speaker 6 (09:13):
Maybe in Saudi Arabia it works, but so you're yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
You're right to point out there's.
Speaker 6 (09:19):
A lot of maschinations to play out before Joseph gets
his hands on the prize.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
First and foremost, what do you have to do though,
David Higgins as the manager, what's your next step as
far as carrying on towards this five because, as you said,
very much up in the air, and that's the nature
of boxing full start.
Speaker 6 (09:37):
Well, my main job is the will make and contract negotiation,
and so each of Joseph's contracts throughout his professional career
has had my eye over it and details negotiated.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
It's quite strict. It's like a game of chess in
a way.
Speaker 6 (09:51):
And you know, now that Joseph's up the top, it's
sometimes a bit easier because he's winning so well. But
there's big sums of money and big risks involved, so
it's contract negotiation and then just working with Joseph on
stuff outside of the ring, like sponsorships.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
And media and and that and the other.
Speaker 6 (10:08):
I mean, we're a tight, small team that worked closely together.
And you know Andy Lee that the head trainer, and
then you've got George Lockart nutrition and conditioning, and both
have been a massive reason why Joseph's looking so good.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Not only he's looking good, but it appears that maturity
is working well for him. He's growing into his role
of who he is. He's never put it down. He's
never given up and said I'm a journeyman. He's still
persistent in what he wants, but he seems to have
got this level of maturity about how he goes about
his business. He's not prone to leaping out of the
corner nown throwing haymakers left, right and center. He's actually boxing.
(10:51):
He's a pugilist.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (10:53):
Well, he hasn't given up like he You know that
a few years ago people were saying he should retire,
but he didn't. He changed some personnel and doubled down
and identify had mistakes and learns from them, and so
he's gone back to the drawing board, trial and error
and changed a lot of the things, and he's come
back better than ever.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Like imagine, if su Edmund Hilary.
Speaker 6 (11:15):
Had stopped halfway up Everest, he would have never got
top I.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Don't know, he wouldn't interesting analogy there. So first and foremost,
when we likely to know when his first fight is
going to be, ahead of this unification, you've got a
rough idea about possible landing that particular bit.
Speaker 6 (11:33):
Yeah, I'd be picking in August or September fight possibly
in the United Kingdom, but it could be Saudi and
I we're expecting some written offer or details to be
put to us by Queensburry in the coming few weeks.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Fantastic Queensberry of course. Frank Warren there in cohoots right now,
looking to Joe Parker picking up four straps going to
be huge. But first and foremost, let's get this next
one done. David Higgins, never a chat. Thanks very much
for your time.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
Thanks sar See, you appreciate it. Sports perfect.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
You've gotta love a good changing of the guard, and
that is what's happening in the Black Ferns right now.
They have got a defense of a rugby World coming
up in August, and they're starting to ring the changes
to try and secure that trophy again. Out with some
of the old, in with some of the new, and
(12:26):
carrying on with some of the established stars in the team,
some girls from the sevens coming back into the fold again.
So much to look at what it says to me
that Alan Bunting is prepared to make the tough calls
for the strength of his team. When you look at
the likes of Rene Holmes at fullback, Ruby Dewhey Chelsea Bremner,
(12:47):
you think, wow, these athletes are unlucky. They are quality players.
They're not out completely. They might get a chance to
get back into the training squad before the team for
the World Cup is announced, but they've got their work
cut out. But we're looking at returning players like Stacy Waka,
like Teresa Setefano. Fantastic players have back involved in the program.
(13:11):
You look at the established players who are still there
and will have a massive sway on the team, the
likes of u Hey Demand for example, Sylvia Brunt, Let's
go to Mike Evanakalani Ruz. What are player still there
involved Vajacolos still out in the wing and Poorsha Woodman
Wickcliffe making this wonderful comeback into the side. Braxton Sorenson
(13:34):
McGhee is something else. She runs like a ghost. She's
a will of the Wisp and could be the excitement
player from the upcoming World Cup. But let's not forget
the other new ladies that are there across from seven's.
Georgia Miller is around, Recye Pory Lane comes into the fold,
and then you look at Vicky rose Green, what about
(13:56):
Visena Mahotriki. These are young players who are climbing into
the team for the first time and are going to
try and make every post a winner. Forget the likes
of Asa Leting. What an amazing player. Georgia ponts me
up the front row. This is a good looking squad.
(14:17):
There's still room for players to leave and players to
break their way back in again. But that is the
kind of competition that coach Alan Bunting wants and I'd
suggest he gon' get it.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
We are now in session on Sports.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
Into the chamber we go. Interesting thoughts on the black
ferns do look I mean, at the risk of repeating yourself,
do you like what Alan Bunting has done here?
Speaker 3 (14:43):
Really important that he not acts as some of the
older players but says, hey, you get a bit more
work to do, and then brings in some of the
younger players, and then you've got that set middle band
of superstars too, creating internal competition. What more do you
want on a team?
Speaker 2 (15:00):
And any team? You're so right. I mean they'll all
tell you coaches that the best headache they can have
is a selection headache when they really not sure which
quality players to leave out. When you're scrambling around for
quality players to bring in, that's when you know you've
got real problems. Obviously, there are some young up and
comers and Braxton Sorenson McGee, the eighteen year old Blues fallback,
(15:24):
is the most obvious one who am really curious to
see whether she can make the step up. But any
good team, and any sport does needs regeneration.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
Does not that what it does? But also you need
that hardcore metal band that are going to keep the
energy going. And when you look at some of the players,
the ones that are coming back from from sevens for
a start in Teresa Setefano, and that is great, and
then hey, Dumont, who's a fantastic player, Mike Evan Calani, Russ.
(15:53):
You've got that hard core Georgia Ponsonby in the front row,
you've got that meat in the sandwich. And now we're
working out who the older ones are going to push
the way back in again and what about the younger
ones keeping their place because I think both ends.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
They've got plenty to prove and first major step along
the road to the defense of the women's rugby world capital.
Yeah no, I said that, but I know there's an
argument here.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
It's not a defense. They've got to win it all
over again, isn't that what you keep hearing?
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (16:21):
I know so.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
I mean theoretically you're right, and they will say that too.
How do you defend? They'll say, no, we're not at
to defend. We're just out to win it and it
will take a lot because as we know. I don't
know whether you've watched any of England over the last
little while, but they look like a very very very
good rugby team.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Does Yeah, well, that's what happens when you make them
professional early and fund them today.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
No surprise is here, No, you're dead right, Let's move
to football. Where the Wellington Phoenix bring the curtain down
on their A League season tomorrow night, a very disappointing season.
They'll host Perth Glory and then go away and lick
their wounds and start planning for next season. But they
can probably plan. All signs point to a visit from
Wrexham in July. What do you make of this?
Speaker 3 (17:04):
Well, they beat Auckland FC in something I'm getting hold
of Wrexham. They've got the upper hand on that. I'm interested.
How hard you're lobbying to get the commentary job there, Jason.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Well, I mean, I'll certainly be putting my hat in
the ring, as it were. I'll be making myself big
as a goalkeeper would in football. Look, I mean, you know,
any game of any game of the sport we love you.
Put your hand up four lock. That's the funny thing
about Wrexham is that most people probably would be able
to name their Hollywood star owners more readily than they
would any of their players. But this is a team
(17:37):
that's done, you know, done some amazing things in the
last three seasons, three straight promotions. Yes, driven by major
investment from Ryan Reynolds and Robert McElhenny, but The fact
remains they've got themselves to within one tier of the
Premier League and they have an enormously high profile through
their owners and also through the reality series nor.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Their league jumping. That's what they're doing. They're doing it
so well. It might be a different step to get
into the EPL itself. But from your point of view,
knowing football as you do, money sure is one thing.
What else has got these guys up through several leagues?
Speaker 2 (18:13):
Well, you're so right, because you know, you often hear
about a team coming into buy a championship, but there
are any number of examples of billionaire gazillionaire owners supposedly
buying up the best players but not being able to
find any on field chemistry. That's clearly what Rerexham have.
They do have that on field chemistry, and I think
also there's a little bit of I don't know whether
(18:35):
you'd call it desperation. I think that's probably the wrong word.
But players who probably never expect it to be in
the situation that they are, i e. One step below
the Premier League, who are just making the most of
this right, enjoying this right. Yes, they've added players every
year as they've gone up tier and if they were
to find their way into the Premier League, sure they'd
have to have to spend some more money. But I
(18:56):
just think there's a real togetherness about this team and
a wave of momentum behind them.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
So in essence, it's a team.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
There you go.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
It sounds really obvious, but that's what it comes down
to as well. I think we all want them to
go further and go well if they managed to sell
their ground out for the next twenty years. Actually where
are they based, what's the I don't even know the
name of their ground.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Well, the name of their ground is Vetch Field. That's
where Wrexham play their home ground home games, and they
left to add some capacity because it was really designed
when they weren't a big team, they were just kind
of you know, they're a Welsh side that's always been
involved in the UK Football League but have never reached
the heights that they could possibly reach over the next
(19:39):
little while. So it's probably worth a visit at some
stage to Vetch Field in Wrexham where you can watch
the team play. Hey, just before we exit the chamber today,
have you seen this footage of I don't even want
to call it a sport. Run it is what it's called,
which is basically two people just running headlong into one another.
(20:01):
Have you seen this?
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (20:02):
I have.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
There was the famous one put up on the Herald,
which wasn't actually part of that Run It League, if
you could call it that, but it was a similar
exercise where the guy went down in a heat and
started convulsing on the ground.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
Which is, well it is.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
It's vile. I don't know he could call it a sport.
What I want to know in acc do they cover
stuff like this or do they go hold on, mate,
this is not sport. This is Darwin Awards in real life.
We're having a bar of it, mate, because they're the ones,
and then directly directly us we're going to be paying
for this idiocy.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
If you haven't seen this, it's called run It Straight,
which actually is an official thing. It's called the Run
It Championship League. The footage you're talking about, which actually
made me feel physically ill when I watched it. I've
got a teenage son and if I ever saw him
involved in something like that, I would fear for his
well being. The Run It Championship League is basically they're
(20:59):
touting it as a new combat sport that mirrors rugby
league union and AFL. It's just two people running headlong
at one another. Surely that is to be, you know,
beyond the realms of what sport actually is.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
If you've seen power slap.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
I have seen power slap, and actually now you're mention that.
Look if that can, if that can be officially sanctioned,
then I suppose run at can as well. But I honestly,
I look, I'm almost at a loss for words.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
Stars.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
So now they're going to bring back justing next Jousting's
coming back. The run at each other with a great,
big long spear. That's the idea. Yeah, look, it's beyond me.
But hey, if people want to do it, knock yourself out, which.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
They will, which they will.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
Just signed the schemer, please, because I don't want to
pay for your stupidity.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
No, no, nobody wants that. All right, that's us in
the chamber for today sex And having exited the chamber,
we now exit the Sports Fixed podcast. Thank you so
much for listening, and today a freeh episode WI drop
into your podcast feed tomorrow provided you subscribe to us,
which you should not.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
Only should you subscribe to tell your friends, your family,
your workmates and as I always say, anybody you run
into that they should subscribe to the Sports Fix. It'll
come to you on a week daily basis and if
you want some sport talk, you can engage in yourself.
Speaker 4 (22:21):
Well.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Monday, Juda, wednes A, Thursday Friday between seven eight pm
on News Talk ZB we have Sports Talk, Jason Pine's Monday,
I have the Rest and of course Piney.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
On the weekend what do you Do midday till three
Saturday and Sunday, the show is called Weekend Sport and
as always, as with sports Talk weeknights, we love to
engage with you, so please feel free to join us.
That is us on Sports Fix Sport Today, with thanks
to GJ. Gardner homes New Zealand's most trusted homebuilder.
Speaker 4 (22:48):
For more from News.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
Talk ZEDB, listen live on air or online, and keep
our shows with you wherever you go with our podcasts
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