Parker-Fa now set for Feb. 27 in Auckland

Fa withdrew from their December 12th date due to needing surgery

The seemingly cursed all-Kiwi Heavyweight clash between amateur rivals Joseph Parker and Junior Fa, previously planned for December 12th before the latter withdrew, will now take place on February 27th at Auckland’s Spark Arena.

After clearing a number of hurdles in negotiations, former champion Parker (27-2, 21 KO) and undefeated Fa (19-0, 10 KO) finally put pen to paper in October, only for Fa to require surgery after finding “anomalies” in his blood test. That appears to have gone well, though he’s still not willing to disclose what ailed him

“We’d been working really hard to ensure I peaked in December and delivered a performance that would have made the heavyweight division sit up and take notice,” Parker said.

“So it was very disappointing when Junior had to postpone. But these things happen in boxing. “The good thing is that Junior is now on track to be 100 percent fit and ready to go in February. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“It is never ideal when these things happen, however I’m happy and relieved to confirm I’m now well and truly back on track,” [Fa] said.

“I’ve been looking forward to this fight for a long time now, so to once again have a date locked in is great.

“Joseph Parker has held a world title before, so when I beat him, I’ll be a giant step closer to realising my own dream.”

Both Parker and Fa sit in the WBO heavyweight top 10, meaning the winner could be in line for a title shot once the whole Anthony Joshua/Tyson Fury/Oleksandr Usyk mess resolves itself. In the meantime, they’ll look to establish supremacy in their home country at one another’s expense.