Gold Coast bushfire smoke forces Mundine-Parr fight to Brisbane

The danger to fighters and fans from bushfire smoke at an open air venue on the Gold Coast has forced promoters to move the Anthony Mundine-John Wayne Parr fight.

Martial arts great John Wayne Parr is ready to take out his frustrations on Anthony Mundine on Saturday night after their boxing match was moved from Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Promoter Steve Wijangco said he reluctantly made the decision to switch to an indoor venue because of the danger to fighters and fans from bushfire smoke on the Gold Coast at an open air venue.

Parr, a 10-time world kickboxing champion, hopes to end his career with a bang against Mundine, a former rugby league star and ex-world champion boxer.

Anthony Mundine (left) and John Wayne Parr face off at Cbus Super Stadium ahead of their upcoming boxing match. Picture Glenn Hampson

“John Wayne really wanted the fight at Cbus,’’ Wijangco said. “It was his dream to beat Anthony at a big open air football stadium in his hometown but we don’t know how bad the smoke will be on the weekend and we can’t risk people getting sick from that smoke,’’ Wijangco said.

“The fighters have to give their all for 30 minutes in the ring and it’s tough fighting even without extra pollution. Some of the fans would have been sitting amid the smoke for six hours. I checked it out on the weekend and thought it was too much of a risk.

“Jarrod Wallace, the Titans player who is fighting on the card, said breathing the smoke on fight night would be like smoking a pack of cigarettes.’’

Wijangco said while Mundine was “very happy to be fighting indoors’’ Parr was upset.

“Still, we have to put the health and wellbeing for fighters and spectators first,’’ he said.

“The fight is at the same time and same date and all tickets will remain valid and can he used at the Brisbane Convention Centre.’’