The all-New Zealand clash between Joseph Parker and Junior Fa has been postponed until 2021, with Fa undergoing surgery.
Parker and Fa, who fought four times in the amateurs with the scores two apiece, were set to meet on December 12 in Auckland, however Fa has been forced to withdraw after abnormalities were found in his bloods, according to Newshub.
Fa, who has had health issues in the past, with tests revealing he had low iron and haemoglobin levels, will undergo surgery on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old is expected to be out of action for four weeks and resume training in January, with a new date in March reportedly under consideration.
“Junior’s essentially had an injury and he’s going to have a routine operation.” Fa’s manager Mark Keddell told the NZ Herald.
Former WBO heavyweight world champion, Parker, 28, who was set to fight for the first time since a fifth round stoppage win over Shawndell Winters in February will return to his home country for the first time in over two years since knocking out Alexander Flores in December 2018, when the bout is rescheduled.
Fa is unbeaten in 19 professional fights and secured a decision victory over Devin Vargas to claim the WBO Oriental heavyweight title last November.
However, he has not fought anyone of the calibre of Parker as a professional, whilst his rival has shared the ring with unified heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua, former unified champion Andy Ruiz, Dillian Whyte and Hughie Fury.
