Here we go again says Sideline Sid. The (latest) "Fight of the Century" is to take place in Auckland Spark Arena on December 11, with the event promoter in full cry.
Don't get me wrong, Parker Fa live stream is a big fight and eagerly looked forward to by the multitude of the countries boxing fans.
However, the same promoter gave the David Tua fight with Shane Cameron the same tag of "Fight of the Century" in 2010.
He's got to be kidding with his claims that the Parker contest with Fa is a bigger attraction than David Tua's demolition of Shane Cameron.
Maybe what he means is that this years showdown is the "Fight of the 21st Century".
Hype and hyperbole sells seats and PPV sales, which gives promoters license to make all sorts of claims.
The official Tua v Cameron fight program said "It's finally here - New Zealand's Fight of the Century, the much hyped and truly epic sporting event of the year. Headlined by the two greats of our time in David Tua and Shane Cameron.
"The elder statesman of NZ boxing in Tua, back in the ring after a two year layoff, against the current top gun Cameron. Could it get any better, as far as main events go, probably not”?
Who can forget the dramatic action, with both boxers going head-to-head in the opening round, before David Tua delivered the knockout blows just 20 seconds into the second stanza.
The Spark Arena showdown is a different kettle of fish to the Tua v Cameron contest.
Much is being made of the four bouts between Parker and Fa in the amateur ranks, where the final tally was two wins apiece.
Amateur boxing is primarily about scoring points, with the similarity with the professional code about as close as rugby is with American football, where the only common denominator is an oval ball.
History tells us that the first genuine Super Heavyweight fight to be held in New Zealand, took place at the Palmerston North Showgrounds nearly eight years ago.
On Boxing Day in 1940, Kiwi Morris Strickland was paid a New Zealand record purse of the day of 550 pounds, to square off with the Alabama Kid from the USA.
The American was no slug in the ring, having beaten ex-World Middleweight champion Gorilla Jones and fought a draw with John Henry Lewis, who held the World Light Heavyweight crown for a time.
While Strickland won the fight on points, Sideline Sid almost fell off his chair when he looked at the Alabama Kids final tally of fights on Box Rec - 206 wins, 69 losses and 23 draws.
Back to the Parker verses Fa fight. Joseph Parker's record would suggest that he should win the encounter, however, this a heavyweight battle where no quarter will be asked for or given, with a Junior Fa victory no great surprise.
Gazing into the crystal ball of the future, Sideline Sid believes the fight will go the distance, with Joseph Parker getting the judges nod.
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