Boxing

Joseph Parker has a much better "total package" than Andy Ruiz and is favored to win their WBO heavyweight title fight.

That's the opinion of Dan Rafael, one of the world's most respected boxing writers who works for ESPN.

Rafael was speaking in Las Vegas with an eager eye on the historic title fight in Auckland on December 10.

The well-connected Rafael has been a keen follower of Parker since he came under the tutelage of Vegas-based New Zealand trainer Kevin Barry.

Under Bob Arum, Top Rank Boxing has guided the careers of the likes of Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Manny Pacquaiao, Floyd Mayweather and George Foreman.

Matchmaker Bruce Trampler said that Parker is a talent it couldn't pass up.

"We would love to be involved with Joseph Parker," he said.

"There are not too many Joseph Parkers' in the world, and you have to rank him as one of the best young heavyweights in the world."

Klitschko has a minor injury which he suffered in training and the fight has now been postponed until next year.

Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn announced this morning that with the Ukranian sidelined and with no decision made over whether the WBA title would be on the line, the fight could not happen on the date suggested.

"We've been in deep negotiations for a few weeks now waiting on the decision from the WBA," Hearn said.

He was born and raised in South Auckland and said one of his biggest achievements was winning a bronze medal for Tonga in the super heavyweight division at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

He's best known for being the man who stopped Parker from going to the 2012 London Olympics and of their four amateur encounters, the pair have won two each.

But instead of following the same path as Parker, Fa decided to get a job and start a family.

Fa and Parker have history, splitting their four amateur fights two each, and momentum is slowly building behind the prospect of the pair eventually squaring off in the pro ranks.

Born and raised in South Auckland, Fa attended two Commonwealth Games with Tonga before taking three years out of the sport to have a family.

Solomon Haumono portrayed himself as 'Rocky' while Joseph Parker played 'Apollo Creed' in a promotional clip before their heavyweight clash, and the cinematic connection may soon get another chapter.

The identity of Parker's next opponent is due to be revealed by promoter Duco Events on Tuesday.

Gallen (4-0) and Williams (7-0) both remain undefeated in the heavyweight boxing division, however busy schedules in their chosen rugby codes have meant a bout has been almost impossible.

"We're talking about it but I suppose it's just hard to line our two schedules up," Cronulla forward Gallen told Fox Sports News.

The watershed moment for women in the boxing came when it was added to the London 2012 Olympic Games program.

Since 2012, women have featured at other large events like the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, and at the recent 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan.