By Logan Savory

Invercargill have been trumped by Auckland in a quest to host Joseph Parker's world title eliminator boxing bout in May.

Parker's promoters Duco announced last month Parker will take on Frenchman Carlos Takam with the winner set to fight for the IBF world title against either Anthony Joshua or Charles Martin.

They also indicated Invercargill's ILT Stadium Southland was one of the leading contenders to host the fight alongside Auckland and Christchurch.

Duco boss Dean Lonergan met with Invercargill leaders earlier in the month.

From there various Southland community partners put together a bid to host the fight but Auckland has since developed as a more attractive financial option.

It is understood ATEED (Auckland tourism events and economic development) has decided to contribute a significant amount to get the Parker fight to Auckland. Duco are also likely to increase their revenue from corporate tables by having it in Auckland rather than Invercargill.

ILT Stadium Southland manager Nigel Skelt said they had given it their best shot.

"It is extremely disappointing we haven't been able to pull off this major fight. The cost of hosting it was a bridge too far for our community funders," he said.

"Our bid was significantly greater than for the previous Parker fight [in Invercargill] and we had commitment from more community partners as well this time. We all worked really hard and gave it a good nudge."

Skelt said while they missed out the world title eliminator they were still negotiating with Duco around hosting a Parker fight in Invercargill later in the year.

If Parker beats Takam and gets a world title shot, it is likely to be in January.

Duco are keen for Parker to have two further bouts in New Zealand before that world title shot.

"We are extremely confident Parker will fight in Invercargill this year, ideally it would be his last fight in New Zealand before he heads overseas."