Fight confirmed for September
WELLINGTON: New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker will defend his WBO title against Hughie Fury in Manchester on September 23.
Fury had been scheduled to fight Parker in Auckland on May 6, but the bout was cancelled less than two weeks out after Fury’s camp said a serious lower back injury meant he could not train properly.
Parker and Duco Events yesterday confirmed the bout at Manchester Arena in Fury’s home town.
The 25yearold South Aucklander said there was no lingering illwill following the Englishman’s late cancellation in May.
‘‘No, I don’t hold any grudges,’’ Parker said.
‘‘I just go in there respect my opponent and do what I have to do.
That’s go in there and win the fight, defend my title and keep it here.’’
Parker said the bout had been a long time coming, and promoter David Higgins had worked hard to get it over the line.
‘‘Now that it’s ready and the date is confirmed, we’re looking forward to going over to the UK, making a statement and putting on a great show.’’
Although Fury would have the hometown advantage, Parker had no worries about fighting in front of local fans.
‘‘I will use it as energy and motivation to put on a great show and fight hard. I know there will be a lot of supporters for him, but I back myself to put on a great show.’’
Fury is equally confident in his ability to take the title off Parker.
‘‘I’ve never had a close fight. I’ve won every round of every single fight.
‘‘I’m going to let my fists do the talking and I’m going to take his belt home with me.’’
Parker’s most recent bout was in May, when he retained his title in Auckland with a unanimous points victory over 2.02m Romanian Razvan Cojanu, ranked 14th by the WBO. —NZN