Tupou fighting for career – Fenech
Jeff Fenech believes Bowie Tupou’s right hand is not Joseph Parker’s biggest concern.
Fenech, a former world champion boxer-turned-trainer, predicts Tupou will be the first opponent Parker has faced that shares the Kiwi heavyweight’s desire to win when they square off in Invercargill on Saturday night.
Talk of Parker needing to avoid Tupou’s right hand has been everywhere in the pre-fight hype, but Fenech, who corners Tupou, believes his fighter’s desperation is what makes him a boilover chance.
A loss for Parker would be a massive stumbling block on what is being touted as ‘‘the road to the title’’ by his promoters but defeat for Tupou would be the end of the road.
‘‘He’ll step into the ring knowing that he is the underdog but also knowing that this is his last chance,’’ Fenech said in Christchurch yesterday.
Tupou is ranked 13th with the WBO but that will plummet if he loses to Parker.
Fenech believes if Tupou is beaten he can ‘‘plod along’’ with his career but big fights on the world stage will be off the radar.
‘‘I’ve told him there is really nothing after this if he loses to Parker, it’s all or nothing.’’
Parker has shown a stack of potential in compiling a 14-0 professional record but Tupou is arguably his first opponent who can genuinely claim some chance of victory – albeit slim – rather than just a cheque at the end of the night.
‘‘If he wins this fight he’s right back up there again.
‘‘He knows that and I know that, that’s why we’re here,’’ Fenech said.
Tupou has everything to gain and in the eyes of most, little to lose.
The two most recognisable names on Tupou’s 25-3 record are knockout losses to Bryant Jennings and Malik Scott.
Add in a loss to Parker and few, if any, promoters will want to know Tupou.
His career has largely stalled since moving home to Australia from the United States in 2012 but Fenech says he will head into the Parker fight in career-best shape.