BREAKING: Disappointing news for Joseph Parker only weeks before the big fight

Joseph Parker's scheduled mandatory defence of his would heavyweight title against Hughie Fury in Auckland appears to be in disarray.

A message by WBO president Paco Valcarcel posted on twitter about an hour ago suggests the fight is off and that it is the fault of the Furys, a state of affairs likely to leave Parker's promoters Duco Events in a scramble.

The fight is scheduled for a week on Saturday at Auckland's Spark Arena. Parker arrived with trainer Kevin Barry from their Las Vegas base yesterday, but of the Furys there is no sign, an increasingly bizarre state of affairs given the amount of money Hughie is set to win - $NZ1.7million.

Valcarcel stated: "As of today, it seems there will be no WBO Heavyweight World Title fight in New Zealand @danrafaelespn @boxingscene", later staying that "It seems the problem lies with Team Fury".

Duco's David Higgins has been approached for comment.

• This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission.