Fury fight licence uncertainty

Hughie Fury isn’t on the British boxing authority’s list of licensed fighters, adding intrigue to his absence from his world title fight against Joseph Parker.

Fury, the mandatory challenger, pulled out of the May 6 promotion in Auckland citing a back injury. He has been replaced by Romanian Razvan Cojanu, the WBO’s No 14.

A search of the licensed boxers on the British Boxing Board of Parker stands 1.93m but enjoys fighting taller opponents.

Olympian Cojanu is experienced in the sport, having had over 300 amateur fights and being a four-time Romanian champion Fury is a former world youth champion.

Cojanu lost his first fight as a professional to Mexican Alvaro Morales by majority points in Las Vegas in 2011. His other loss was a knockout at the hands of American Donavan Dennis in 2015. Control’s website revealed no Fury two weeks out from what was meant to be the fight of his career.

Replying to an inquiry from Stuff about Fury’s surprising absence, the board’s general secretary, Robert Smith, said the boxer was in the process of renewing his licence.

‘‘Mr Fury’s licence is not withdrawn. He is in the process of renewing his licence and we are awaiting receipt of medicals, etc.

Cojanu’s height and skills make him a popular sparring partner. Ironically Parker has used him in his latest camp preparing for Fury. It adds an intriguing dimension to this fight.

Cojanu was used as a sparring partner by Alex Leapai for the Australian’s failed world title challenge against Wladimir Klitschko in Germany in 2014.

He has also been in training camps with Charles Martin, Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte. Once in order, the licence will show on the board’s website,’’ Smith said.

Fury hasn’t fought for a year, but to have the licence process drag out on the eve of a world title fight appears tardy.

The Furys are adamant the title fight against Parker will go ahead, provided the Kiwi gets past Cojanu to retain his belt.

They say Fury needs three to four week’s rest.

Cojanu has power, with a noted left hook. Power has never been a hallmark of Fury.

He has a previous Kiwi connection, having KO’d Paula Mataele in Melbourne in 2013 in his seventh fight.

He doesn’t mind travelling. His last fight was in China in December where he knocked out local hope Zhi Yu Whu to win the vacant WBO China zone belt.

That was his second fight in China.