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David Tua and Shane Cameron could go to war in New Zealands Fight of the Century at Wellingtons Cake Tin.
Thats one of the scenarios being pursued by Fight of the Century adviser Ian Fraser as the countdown to the highly-anticipated bout begins.
The $1 million fight has been confirmed and will be signed on Thursday.
Fraser the former boss of TVNZ has joined forces with fight promoters Duco Ltd to oversee the location of the fight and to negotiate a money-spinning broadcasting deal.
Sunday News can reveal Fraser is already at an advanced stage of negotiation with Sky Television to air the June 6 bout as a pay-per-view event on the networks Box Office channel.
But its news of the battle for the hosting rights which promises to an interesting precursor to the main event involving New Zealands top two heavyweights. It has long been assumed that Auckland indoor stadium Vector Arena would host the fight.
Its 12,000-seat capacity is the biggest of any indoor venue in New Zealand but Fraser is not convinced Duco should settle for Vector so easily.
"Its not a given that it is going to be Vector," Fraser said last night.
"Obviously we are interested in Auckland. It's a terrific venue but the problem with it is that it only seats 12,000. Frankly the kind of interest we anticipate for this event could be too big for Vector Arena.
"We've had serious expressions of interest from other centres. There are some really good outdoor venues."
As well as Wellington's Westpac Stadium, the other main outdoor contender is Hamilton's Waikato Stadium.
Fraser said there seemed to be an overwhelming logic to have it at Vector but other factors were being considered.
"The $1 million purse for the fight is a big purse we have to make the money back somehow.
"So we're looking very seriously at all the expressions of interest that we've had. I believe we could sell out Westpac Stadium."
But the June date may count against the Wellington bid.
The Fight of the Century falls on the Saturday between the Super 14 final and the beginning of the All Blacks domestic test season when the weather can at best be unpredictable and at worst dire. But Fraser, a founding member of Westpac Stadium, is unconcerned.
"There have been major shows (David Bowie, Elton John) at Westpac where the weather has been indifferent but it hasn't spoilt the atmosphere of the event.
"The reality is Westpac is not a bad stadium for mid-winter events and June isn't mid-winter."
Waitakere City also expressed an interest in hosting the fight but the lack of a big venue would count them out.
A bid was also expected from Christchurch but Fraser told Sunday News he saw the Fight of the Century as "a main-centre, North Island draw".
Fraser, who was behind the hugely successful NZ Expos in Brisbane in 1988 and Seville in 1992, predicted the city which hosted Tua and Cameron would come to a halt for fight week.
Events like Pasifica concerts, celebrity debates, gala evenings and the weigh-in will ensure a big economic benefit for the host city.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4822439a1823.html
Thats one of the scenarios being pursued by Fight of the Century adviser Ian Fraser as the countdown to the highly-anticipated bout begins.
The $1 million fight has been confirmed and will be signed on Thursday.
Fraser the former boss of TVNZ has joined forces with fight promoters Duco Ltd to oversee the location of the fight and to negotiate a money-spinning broadcasting deal.
Sunday News can reveal Fraser is already at an advanced stage of negotiation with Sky Television to air the June 6 bout as a pay-per-view event on the networks Box Office channel.
But its news of the battle for the hosting rights which promises to an interesting precursor to the main event involving New Zealands top two heavyweights. It has long been assumed that Auckland indoor stadium Vector Arena would host the fight.
Its 12,000-seat capacity is the biggest of any indoor venue in New Zealand but Fraser is not convinced Duco should settle for Vector so easily.
"Its not a given that it is going to be Vector," Fraser said last night.
"Obviously we are interested in Auckland. It's a terrific venue but the problem with it is that it only seats 12,000. Frankly the kind of interest we anticipate for this event could be too big for Vector Arena.
"We've had serious expressions of interest from other centres. There are some really good outdoor venues."
As well as Wellington's Westpac Stadium, the other main outdoor contender is Hamilton's Waikato Stadium.
Fraser said there seemed to be an overwhelming logic to have it at Vector but other factors were being considered.
"The $1 million purse for the fight is a big purse we have to make the money back somehow.
"So we're looking very seriously at all the expressions of interest that we've had. I believe we could sell out Westpac Stadium."
But the June date may count against the Wellington bid.
The Fight of the Century falls on the Saturday between the Super 14 final and the beginning of the All Blacks domestic test season when the weather can at best be unpredictable and at worst dire. But Fraser, a founding member of Westpac Stadium, is unconcerned.
"There have been major shows (David Bowie, Elton John) at Westpac where the weather has been indifferent but it hasn't spoilt the atmosphere of the event.
"The reality is Westpac is not a bad stadium for mid-winter events and June isn't mid-winter."
Waitakere City also expressed an interest in hosting the fight but the lack of a big venue would count them out.
A bid was also expected from Christchurch but Fraser told Sunday News he saw the Fight of the Century as "a main-centre, North Island draw".
Fraser, who was behind the hugely successful NZ Expos in Brisbane in 1988 and Seville in 1992, predicted the city which hosted Tua and Cameron would come to a halt for fight week.
Events like Pasifica concerts, celebrity debates, gala evenings and the weigh-in will ensure a big economic benefit for the host city.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4822439a1823.html
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