Parker to fight in Fury territory

Joseph Parker will go into enemy territory to defend his WBO world heavyweight title.

The 25-year-old will fight Hughie Fury in the Englishman’s hometown of Manchester on September 23, choosing to take him on in the lucrative United Kingdom market, despite Fury failing to show up to their May 6 showdown in Auckland because of a supposed back injury.

Duco Events confirmed the news yesterday, with Parker saying he didn’t hold any ill will towards Fury for not making it out to New Zealand.

‘‘The idea of going to the UK is something I am looking forward to and, no, I don’t hold any grudges [about Fury not coming to NZ on May 6], I just go in there respect my opponent and do what I have to do.

Parker said he wouldn’t be bothered by taking on the 22-yearold in his hometown, with the 21,000-seat Manchester Arena expected to be vociferous in their support of their local lad.

‘‘The crowd against me? 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 [Fury] but I know I back myself and put on a great show, and hopefully get him out of there.’’

Many people felt Fury’s back injury claim in April was fabricated, including those in Parker’s camp.

‘‘There is a possibility that Hughie Fury is actually injured ... I’d say about a one in a billion chance. But we can’t rule that out,’’ Duco Events boss David Higgins said at the time, reflecting on the souring relations between the two camps.

At that point, the prospect of a rescheduled fight with Fury didn’t sit comfortably with Higgins.

Romanian Razvan Cajanu came in as a late replacement for Fury and Parker laboured past him to win the first defence of his title via unanimous decision.

Fury was typically confident in the video to announce the fight.

‘‘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,’’ he said.

Fury is the mandatory challenger for Parker’s title, so a fight has long been on the cards between the pair, even after he missed the first fight.

Fury is unbeaten in his 20-fight pro career, with 10 knockout wins, but has never faced anyone of Parker’s class - the Kiwi fighter also has a perfect record of 23-0 with 18 knockouts.