Duco Events
{{Cleanup-PR|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Duco Events
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| image = File:WB15101317.jpg
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| image_caption = Duco Event Press Conference for Joseph Parker vs Kali Meehan
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| industry = Boxing, Corporate Events and Sport
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| founded = {{Start date and age|df=y|2004|04|05}} in Auckland, New Zealand
| founder = {{ubl|David Higgins|John McRae [2004-2010]}}
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| hq_location = Auckland CBD
| hq_location_city = Auckland
| hq_location_country = New Zealand
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| key_people = {{ubl|Former Co owner Dean Lonergan|Current CEO Craig Cotton}}
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| website = {{URL|https://www.ducoevents.com/}}
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Duco Events (also known as Duco Boxing or Duco) is an event promotions company led by the co-founder and current owner, New Zealand entrepreneur David Higgins. The company mostly promotes corporate events like celebrity dinners, charity balls and galas, as well as sporting events for rugby, cricket and most notably boxing. They have hosted major events including Brisbane Global Rugby Tens, NRL Auckland Nines, Joseph Parker vs. Andy Ruiz and David Tua vs Shane Cameron
Business Relationships
Duco was founded by David Higgins and John McRae in 2004 and they promoted their first boxing event, David Tua vs. Shane Cameron, on 3 October 2009. McRae and his executive production company VADR sold their interest in Duco Events following the David Tua vs. Friday Ahunanya fight and acquired a stake in Sky Arena, a SKY TV pay-per-view company and also founded esports broadcaster and tournament platform www.letsplay.live in 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/10524506/Sky-TV-vs-Duco-The-bout-for-boxings-money|title=Sky TV vs Duco: The bout for boxing's money|date=|publisher=Stuff NZ|access-date=2019-10-09}} In 2014, Duco signed Martin Snedden to become their new CEO of the company.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiosport.co.nz/sport-news/martin-snedden-joining-duco-events/ |title=Martin Snedden joining DUCO Events |publisher=Radio Sports |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} In 2016, Duco Events paired up with Bob Arum of Top Rank to co-promote Joseph Parker vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. and Parker vs Cojanu.{{cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/319732/top-rank-take-on-parker |title=Top Rank take on Parker |publisher=RNZ |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} After the Parker vs Ruiz Jr. world title fight, Snedden stepped down as CEO.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11794194 |title=The Martin Snedden story: End of the Duco era |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} After Parker vs Razvan Cojanu, Lonergan and Higgins decided to part ways.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11898816 |title=Boxing: Duco's split gets uglier as duo cannot find compromise |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} Lonergan went on to create D & L Events in Australia and is the main promoter for Jeff Horn. Higgins continues to run Duco Events in New Zealand and work with Joseph Parker. At the end of Parker's six year fight deal with Duco, he signed a three-fight deal with Eddie Hearn under Matchroom Sport, with Higgins taking a management role within team Parker.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/other/joseph-parker-signs-eddie-hearns-matchroom-boxing-after-duco-events-split |title=Joseph Parker signs with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing after Duco Events split |publisher=One News |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}}
Boxing
File:Joseph Parker competing.jpg
In January 2009, Duco Events announced that David Tua will fight against Shane Cameron with this being the biggest boxing event in New Zealand history at the time.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/sport/799505/Tua-vs-Cameron-the-fight-of-the-century |title=Tua vs Cameron: the fight of the century
|publisher=Sunday Star Times |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} The fight was originally scheduled for June at Waikato Stadium,{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10558388 |title=Boxing: Tua-Cameron fight goes to Hamilton
|publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} however due to Shane Cameron injuring his hand, it was postponed to October at Mystery Creek.{{cite web|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/boxing/boxing-camerons-hand-injury-no-dramas-says-promoter |title=Boxing: Cameron's hand injury 'no dramas', says promoter
|publisher=Otago Daily Times |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} The event was quite successful with Duco Events turning a profit.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/boxing/news/article.cfm?c_id=23&objectid=10615890 |title=Boxing: Date fixed for Tua's next big test
|publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} After making his Professional debut in 2012, Joseph Parker signed a six-year fight contract with Duco.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/7575441/NZ-boxer-Joseph-Parker-to-sign-six-year-deal |title=NZ boxer Joseph Parker to sign six-year deal
|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} Duco Events has promoted 20 boxing events, majority of them having Parker as the Main Event. In this time Parker won the New Zealand heavyweight title,{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/sport/9272057/Parkers-sights-set-on-big-US-paydays |title=Parker's sights set on big US paydays
|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} six regional boxing titles,{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/73071218/joseph-parker-destroys-kali-meehan-with-third-round-tko |title=Joseph Parker destroys Kali Meehan with third round TKO|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}}{{cite web|url=https://teaomaori.news/joseph-parker-confirmed-face-kali-meehan |title=Joseph Parker confirmed to face Kali Meehan|publisher=Teao Maori|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} and World Heavyweight title.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/87433522/joseph-parker-wins-wbo-world-heavyweight-title-in-tight-battle-over-andy-ruiz |title=Joseph Parker wins WBO world heavyweight title in tight battle over Andy Ruiz|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} When the contract expired, David Higgins helped Parker sign with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/combat-sports/113142999/joseph-parker-signs-with-british-promoter-eddie-hearn-for-6m-threefight-deal |title=Joseph Parker signs with British promoter Eddie Hearn for $6m three-fight deal|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} In August 2013, Duco signed a six-year fight deal with Robert Berridge.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503424&objectid=11146594 |title=Promoter clears way for 'butcher'|publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} While with Duco, Berridge has competed in four of their boxing events and won two regional titles.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/10132278/Back-from-death-MacKinnon-eyes-ring-again |title=Back-from-death MacKinnon eyes ring again|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} Slightly under a year and a half with Duco, the contract was terminated after an alcohol-fuelled incident by Robert Berridge at one of Ducos events.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/64366950/robert-berridge-splits-from-promoter-duco-events |title=Robert Berridge splits from promoter Duco Events|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} In 2014, Jeff Horn signed a multi-year deal with Duco.{{cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1409/S00625/duco-promotions-taps-martin-snedden-for-new-top-job.htm |title=Duco Promotions taps Martin Snedden for new top job|publisher=Scoop|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} While under Duco, Horn fought seven times in New Zealand and won six Regional titles. After the split between Higgins and Lonergan, Horn stayed with Dean Lonergan in Australia under Duco Australia, later called D & L Events. In 2014, Izuagbe Ugonoh signed with Duco.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/archive/joseph-parker-wins-by-unanimous-decision-6109375|title=Joseph Parker wins by unanimous decision|publisher=One News|date=|access-date=2019-10-09|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114737/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/archive/joseph-parker-wins-by-unanimous-decision-6109375|url-status=dead}} While with Duco he fought on eight of Duco's boxing events and won three regional titles. In December 2016, Ugonoh decided to leave Duco in sign with a new Promoter.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/87095054/joseph-parkers-stablemate-izu-ugonoh-leaves-for-his-own-challenge |title=Joseph Parker's stablemate Izu Ugonoh leaves for his own challenge|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} In 2014, Duco signed David Letele. Letele mostly used a wrestling like gimmick called the Brown Buttabean.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/10032281/Brown-Butterbean-Letele-ready-to-drop-bombs |title='Brown Butterbean' Letele ready to drop bombs|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} In his time with Duco, he had 5 corporate fights, 20 professional fights and 1 exhibition. Most times fighting local corporate boxers. This was originally an experiment to help raise revenue and sell tickets. It effectively worked and also helped Letele lose over 90 kg. In 2016, Letele stopped fighting local fighters and started fighting legitimate professional boxers.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/84865229/joseph-parker-undercard--fight-by-fight |title=Joseph Parker undercard - fight by fight|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} Letele eventually retired after a loss to Manu Vatuvei in 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/combat-sports/109384832/manu-vatuvei-knocks-out-dave-letele-on-pro-debut |title=Ex-Warrior Manu Vatuvei knocks out Dave Letele on pro debut|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}}
Other Sporting Events
In 2014, Duco events began an annual Rugby League sporting event called NRL Auckland Nines. The inaugural event was successful with over $9 million return.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/aucklander/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503376&objectid=11274850 |title=NRL Nines reaps $9million return for Auckland|publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} In 2017, the event ceased to continue due to lack of interest from the general public, which essentially made the event flop. There was an idea to move the event to Australia, however the event has not happened since.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/89440556/warriors-fault-for-auckland-nines-flop-duco-director-dean-lonergan |title=Warriors' fault for Auckland Nines flop - Duco Events boss Dean Lonergan|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} In 2017, Duco Events began another annual event, this time in Rugby called Brisbane Global Rugby Tens. At the inaugural event, only half capacity of tickets were sold.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11799042 |title=Rugby: Brisbane Global Tens: Where the bloody hell are ya?|publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} The 2018 event still went ahead but the event took a hiatus in 2019, but it is unknown if the event will return.{{cite web|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/brisbane-tens-hiatus-next-year |title=Brisbane Tens on hiatus next year|publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} In 2019, Duco hosted a Celebrity Twenty20 cricket event where Rugby Legends would take Cricket legends in a T20 Cricket match.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/110104208/brendon-mccullum-to-play-for-team-rugby-in-black-clash-t20-match |title=Brendon McCullum to play for Team Rugby in Black Clash T20 match|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} The match took place on 25 January 2019, at the Hagley Oval. The event was considered a success will all 9,000 tickets sold out.{{cite web|url=https://www.ducoevents.com/news/black-clash-sell-out |title=Hot Spring Spas T20 Christchurch Black Clash a sell out
|publisher=Duco Events|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}}
Corporate Events
As well as sporting events, Duco have hosted a variety of celebrity dinners, charity dinners, galas and balls. Some of the celebrities include Bob Geldof, Mick Fleetwood,{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12264898 |title=Mike Chunn: Mick Fleetwood, Sir Bob Geldof will play it out
|publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} John Key, Richard Branson,{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/89998251/john-key-kicks-off-speaking-career-with-richard-branson-chat |title=John Key kicks off speaking career with Richard Branson chat|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} Nigella Lawson,{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/75632900/duco-events-trim-expectations-for-nigella-lawsons-invercargill-appearance |title=Duco Events trim expectations for Nigella Lawson's Invercargill appearance|publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} and many more. One of the celebrities that they have worked with, Gordon Ramsay, cancelled on a charity fundraiser that was hosted by Duco.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/5341470/Gordon-Ramsays-High-Court-nightmare |title=Gordon Ramsay's High Court nightmare |publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} David Higgins and John McRae took Ramsay and his agent to the New Zealand High court with a claim of $2.2 million, which was later settled after Ramsay flew to New Zealand for mediation which saw a 15-hour negotiation before a resolution was achieved.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/editors-picks/6531013/Gordon-Ramsay-settles-row-meets-fans |title=Gordon Ramsay settles row, meets fans |publisher=Stuff NZ|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}}
Boxers privously signed by Duco
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! style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Boxer ! style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Estimated Date of Signed ! style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Estimated Date of Departure ! style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Number of fights Promoted by Duco ! style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Titles won with Duco ! style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Boxrec References |
| style="text-align: center;" | Joseph Parker
| style="text-align: center;" | August 2012 | style="text-align: center;" | June 2019 | style="text-align: center;" | 20 | style="text-align: center;" | WBO World Heavyweight title WBC - EPBC Heavyweight title WBA Oceania Heavyweight title WBO Africa Heavyweight title WBC - OPBF Heavyweight title WBO Oriental Heavyweight title WBA - PABA Heavyweight title NZNBF Heavyweight title | style="text-align: center;" | {{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/613846 |title=Joseph Parker |publisher=Boxrec|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} |
| style="text-align: center;" | Jeff Horn
| style="text-align: center;" | July 2014 | style="text-align: center;" | August 2017 | style="text-align: center;" | 10 | style="text-align: center;" | WBO World Welterweight Title WBO Inter-Continental Welterweight Title interim WBA Oceania Welterweight Title WBA Pan African Welterweight Title IBF Inter-Continental Welterweight Title WBA - PABA Welterweight title | style="text-align: center;" | {{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/635000 |title=Jeff Horn |publisher=Boxrec|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} |
| style="text-align: center;" | David Letele
| style="text-align: center;" | July 2014 | style="text-align: center;" | December 2018 | style="text-align: center;" | 16 | style="text-align: center;" | Duco Events Corporate World Heavyweight title King of the Coromandel Heavyweight title Duco Event's Corporate Intercontinental Heavyweight title Duco Event's Corporate USA Heavyweight title Duco Event's Corporate World Australia Heavyweight title | style="text-align: center;" | {{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/702783 |title=David Letele |publisher=Boxrec|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} |
| style="text-align: center;" | Robert Berridge
| style="text-align: center;" | October 2013 | style="text-align: center;" | January 2015 | style="text-align: center;" | 4 | style="text-align: center;" | WBO Oriental Light Heavyweight title WBA - PABA Light Heavyweight title | style="text-align: center;" | {{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/492926 |title=Robert Berridge |publisher=Boxrec|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} |
| style="text-align: center;" | Izuagbe Ugonoh
| style="text-align: center;" | October 2014 | style="text-align: center;" | December 2016 | style="text-align: center;" | 8 | style="text-align: center;" | IBF Mediterranean Heavyweight title WBO Africa Heavyweight title Interim WBA Oceania Heavyweight title | style="text-align: center;" | {{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/550312 |title=Izuagbe Ugonoh |publisher=Boxrec|date= |access-date=2019-10-09}} |
Controversy
In 2013, Duco was heavily criticised for saving money by failing to provide qualified medical professionals at Fight for Life. This was referring to the 14 December 2013 event with the main event between Shane Cameron and Brian Minto.{{Cite web |date=14 December 2013 |title=Woodstock Fight For Life |work=Duco Events |url=https://www.ducoevents.com/events/previous-events/woodstock-fight-for-life}} Manager Ken Reinsfeld said the person employed to stitch cuts "had no idea" and that "it's important the guy ringside is competent. I was shocked when I found out he wasn't registered.{{Cite news |last=Napier |first=Liam |date=24 December 2013 |title=Shane Cameron angry over absence of doctor |work=Stuff |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/editors-picks/9544356/Shane-Cameron-angry-over-absence-of-doctor}} " Shane Cameron said that in 16 years of boxing, he had never fought without a registered doctor ringside. Charity fighters were also not medically assessed at the end of their bouts. Lonergan defended the apparent oversight saying "so be it" and while things were not perfect, "ultimately responsibility relies with me, no one else."{{Cite news |author=Paul Lewis |date=20 December 2013 |title=Boxing event under fire over lack of doctor for hurt fighter |newspaper=New Zealand Herald |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/boxing-event-under-fire-over-lack-of-doctor-for-hurt-fighter/CAZS4C7P3IVL5NNBXDP2X4KNPQ/}} This incident happened just a month after light heavyweight boxer Daniel MacKinnon suffered a brain bleed on another card and was rushed to hospital where his heart stopped for 40 seconds. Ulitimately MacKinnon recovered.