09-10-2017, 03:59 PM
Parker believes having two training camps for Fury is advantage
By Ryan Burton
WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (23-0) is in the final weeks of training for the second defense of is title that he captured this past December when he outpointed Andy Ruiz in New Zealand. The fight takes place on September 23rd at the Manchester Arena in his opponent Hughie Fury's hometown in the UK.
"Coming into this fight I feel like my body and mind are refocused," said Parker. "I feel like I am more focused than before and I am looking forward to fighting overseas. I will be fighting in his backyard. I have been happy fighting at home with the support of the crowd but it is going to be a challenge and I am looking forward to it."
The fight was originally scheduled to take place in May but Fury (20-0) pulled out of the fight in late April with a back injury.
When they set foot in the ring both men will have had almost two full training camps to prepare for each other. Parker believes that the extra time will be more of a benefit for himself rather than for Fury.
"I feel like in the last camp we worked on a lot of things and in this camp we are introducing more things so I think it is an advantage. I was able to train hard in the last camp but now I can actually get more of a game plan going and I am excited for the fight," Parker told
The soon to be 23-year-old Fury has seen his career stall the past two years with injuries and illness. He has only had two fights since his December 2015 victory over Larry Olubamiwo.
He did however return to the ring in July and won a six round exhibition bout against Kamil Sokolowski. The fight had to be an exhibition because WBO rules prohibit mandatory challengers from participating in a sanctioned bout prior to the title fight.
Parker doesn't expect Fury to show any ring rust and expects to face the best possible version of the Traveller.
"He's got a great team, Peter Fury his dad, guiding him, so I am sure he will be ready and prepared for this fight. Being out of the ring isn't helpful but he has been in the gym and sparring so I expect him to be ready when he gets in the ring," said Parker.
By Ryan Burton
WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (23-0) is in the final weeks of training for the second defense of is title that he captured this past December when he outpointed Andy Ruiz in New Zealand. The fight takes place on September 23rd at the Manchester Arena in his opponent Hughie Fury's hometown in the UK.
"Coming into this fight I feel like my body and mind are refocused," said Parker. "I feel like I am more focused than before and I am looking forward to fighting overseas. I will be fighting in his backyard. I have been happy fighting at home with the support of the crowd but it is going to be a challenge and I am looking forward to it."
The fight was originally scheduled to take place in May but Fury (20-0) pulled out of the fight in late April with a back injury.
When they set foot in the ring both men will have had almost two full training camps to prepare for each other. Parker believes that the extra time will be more of a benefit for himself rather than for Fury.
"I feel like in the last camp we worked on a lot of things and in this camp we are introducing more things so I think it is an advantage. I was able to train hard in the last camp but now I can actually get more of a game plan going and I am excited for the fight," Parker told
The soon to be 23-year-old Fury has seen his career stall the past two years with injuries and illness. He has only had two fights since his December 2015 victory over Larry Olubamiwo.
He did however return to the ring in July and won a six round exhibition bout against Kamil Sokolowski. The fight had to be an exhibition because WBO rules prohibit mandatory challengers from participating in a sanctioned bout prior to the title fight.
Parker doesn't expect Fury to show any ring rust and expects to face the best possible version of the Traveller.
"He's got a great team, Peter Fury his dad, guiding him, so I am sure he will be ready and prepared for this fight. Being out of the ring isn't helpful but he has been in the gym and sparring so I expect him to be ready when he gets in the ring," said Parker.