11-28-2016, 01:45 PM
Kevin Barry says Andy Ruiz has faster hands than Joseph Parker and is favourite for WBO title fight
Joseph Parker and his trainer Kevin Barry have the focus falling on them now with the WBO title fight against Andy Ruiz just around the corner.
Kevin Barry says Andy Ruiz has faster hands than Joseph Parker and deserves the favourite's tag for their WBO heavyweight title fight.
Barry's theory went far deeper than just the hotly debated topic of hand-speed for the December 10 showdown at Vector Arena.
Whether the TAB takes any notice remains to be seen – they have Parker at $1.25 to win the fight with Ruiz at $3.70.
Barry said the TAB had the odds for Parker's crucial May win over Carlos Takam "miles, miles wrong" as was proved by the eventual 12-round decision.
He suggested the fight with Ruiz could also go the distance despite both boxers having a liking and record for knockouts.
Grabbing the underdog's tag isn't unexpected. With most of the hard work done on the roads and in the gym, it's time for some mind games.
Barry argued that the 27-year-old Mexican had four more years experience than Parker, eight more fights to his name, had never been hurt, beaten or downed and "brings more pressure than anyone we have faced".
"He comes to New Zealand as the favourite to win this fight, there is no doubt in my mind," Barry said as he fronted a media conference in Auckland on Monday.
"We have always talked about Joe having fast hands, but I believe that Andy Ruiz punches faster than Joe."
With that done, Barry turned the heat up on Ruiz further.
"The pressure for this fight is on Andy Ruiz. He is the guy expected to win this fight. He has one of the top trainers in the world in Abel Sanchez who has trained 16 world champions ... there is a lot of pressure on Andy Ruiz to be Abel's 17th champ.
"Mexico has a huge tradition of producing champions, they have never had a heavyweight champion so, once again, the pressure is on Andy Ruiz."
- Stuff
Joseph Parker and his trainer Kevin Barry have the focus falling on them now with the WBO title fight against Andy Ruiz just around the corner.
Kevin Barry says Andy Ruiz has faster hands than Joseph Parker and deserves the favourite's tag for their WBO heavyweight title fight.
Barry's theory went far deeper than just the hotly debated topic of hand-speed for the December 10 showdown at Vector Arena.
Whether the TAB takes any notice remains to be seen – they have Parker at $1.25 to win the fight with Ruiz at $3.70.
Barry said the TAB had the odds for Parker's crucial May win over Carlos Takam "miles, miles wrong" as was proved by the eventual 12-round decision.
He suggested the fight with Ruiz could also go the distance despite both boxers having a liking and record for knockouts.
Grabbing the underdog's tag isn't unexpected. With most of the hard work done on the roads and in the gym, it's time for some mind games.
Barry argued that the 27-year-old Mexican had four more years experience than Parker, eight more fights to his name, had never been hurt, beaten or downed and "brings more pressure than anyone we have faced".
"He comes to New Zealand as the favourite to win this fight, there is no doubt in my mind," Barry said as he fronted a media conference in Auckland on Monday.
"We have always talked about Joe having fast hands, but I believe that Andy Ruiz punches faster than Joe."
With that done, Barry turned the heat up on Ruiz further.
"The pressure for this fight is on Andy Ruiz. He is the guy expected to win this fight. He has one of the top trainers in the world in Abel Sanchez who has trained 16 world champions ... there is a lot of pressure on Andy Ruiz to be Abel's 17th champ.
"Mexico has a huge tradition of producing champions, they have never had a heavyweight champion so, once again, the pressure is on Andy Ruiz."
- Stuff