Spar partner on Parker’s undercard
Joseph Parker’s impressive training partner, Izu Ugonoh, will fight in Invercargill on August 1.
Parker and Ugonoh visited on Wednesday to promote the coming boxing events in Palmerston North and Invercargill.
During the visit it was confirmed Ugonoh will also fight on the Invercargill card which will be headlined by Parker, New Zealand’s leading heavyweight.
Ugonoh was born in Poland to Nigerian parents.
He was a world kickboxing champion before he turned to boxing. The 28-year-old has had 11 wins from his 11 professional boxing bouts to date and was spotted by Parker’s trainer, Kevin Barry.
The cruiserweight lives and trains with Barry and Parker in Las Vegas.
Parker said Ugonoh’s presence was a big boost for him personally.
It provided competition and it kept him on his toes, Parker said.
‘‘He is a great training partner, running in the morning, two-hour boxing sessions together, to conditioning. Sometimes when you have got someone there, you push yourselves more.
‘‘If you are tired and you see him carry on you think: nah I’m keeping going.
‘‘He’s not only a great training partner but he’s a great guy too.
‘‘He’s got goals and dreams, and he’s aiming to achieve something in boxing. We have a good bond because we both have those goals.’’
Ugonoh’s addition provides another boost to the August 1 card in Invercargill.
Another notable boxer set to fight in Invercargill is Australian Jeff Horn. Parker’s opponent for Invercargill is expected to be announced soon after his fight in Palmerston North on June 13.