E41 | David Higgins
Episode summary | David Higgins
David Higgins has one of the most fascinating minds in New Zealand sport with a cunning intelligence and the balls to continually bet big on himself, and win.
In 2009 with no boxing experience and little money, he engineered the Fight of the Century between David Tua and Shane Cameron which became the first pay-per-view event held in New Zealand.
What followed has been a foray into boxing with former world champion heavyweight fighter Joseph Parker. Littered along the way are some incredible stories including losing control at the infamous Hughie Fury press conference in London and how he feared for his life in the aftermath and how he manufactured a multi-million dollar pay day for Parker in a dream bout with Anthony Joshua.
We also delve into his background growing up in poverty and his subsequent relationship with money, celebrity speaking events and creating Unicorns with Duco Events.
Show notes | David Higgins
2.23 Straight from Bikram Yoga into the heat of the Between Two Beers Podcast
5.57 One of the most intriguing characters in NZ sport: Who is David Higgins?
8.01 We go back to the beginning of the journey from commerce student to business conferences and speaking events
14.28 Moving into celebrity speaking events with Prince Andrew (pre-Epstein scandal) and the chance movie screening that got Higgins into boxing promotion
19.54 The Fight of the Century: David Tua v Shane Cameron
29.07 “I create unicorns”
34.58 Higgins: The early years and the relationship with money
39.21 Lining up the Joseph Parker v Anthony Joshua fight
47.08 The Hughie Fury press conference
57.00 David Higgins on sport and the media in New Zealand
1.02.01 The relationship with Joseph Parker
1.04.56 All Blacks v Kangaroos and the Black Clash: “Entertainment that will make a shit load of money”
1.09.50 Synthony*
1.14.30 A few celebrity stories: securing Al Gore and Richard Branson to come to New Zealand, and settling out of court with Gordon Ramsey
1.19.49 The realities of staring down the barrel of bankruptcy: Duco, Covid-19 and the events industry
1.24.31 The transition from promoter to manager and the Joseph Parker v Junior Fa fight
1.28.19 Seamus and David Higgins trade Papua New Guinea stories
1.31.07 Being given a Matai high chief title in Samoa after the Joseph Parker fight in Apia
1.37.26 What is the best event that David has attended as a fan?
1.40.38 Final words from Seamus, Steven and David
*Side note from Seamus – What an unbelievable night out! Such a good time, recommend it to anyone over the age of 30
