Bowie Tupou fighting for career against Joseph Parker, says trainer Jeff Fenech
IAIN McGREGOR/FAIRFAX NZ
Bowie Tupou's boxing career will be shut out in the dark if he cannot beat Joseph Parker on Saturday night.
Jeff Fenech believes Bowie Tupou's right hand is not Joseph Parker's biggest concern.
Fenech, a former world champion boxer-turned-trainer, predicts Tupou will be the first opponent Parker has faced that shares the Kiwi heavyweight's desire to win when they square off in Invercargill on Saturday night.
Talk of Parker needing to avoid Tupou's right hand has been everywhere in the pre-fight hype, but Fenech, who corners Tupou, believes his fighter's desperation is what makes him a boilover chance.
The Australian heavyweight works out with trainer Jeff Fenech at the Round 12 Boxing Gym in Christchurch.
A loss for Parker would be a massive stumbling block on what is being touted as "the road to the title" by his promoters but defeat for Tupou would be the end of the road.
"He'll step into the ring knowing that he is the underdog but also knowing that this is his last chance," Fenech said in Christchurch on Wednesday.
Tupou is ranked 13 with the WBO but that will plummet if he loses to Parker.
Fenech believes if Tupou is beaten he can "plod along" with his career but big fights on the world stage will be off the radar.
"I've told him there is really nothing after this if he loses to Parker, it's all or nothing."
Parkerhas shown a stack of potential in compiling a 14-0 professional record but Tupou is arguably his first opponent who can genuinely see some chance of victory - albeit slim - rather than just a cheque at the end of the night.
"If he wins this fight he's right back up there again. He knows that and I know that, that's why we're here," Fenech said.
The Tongan-born heavyweight's hand speed is not even on the same chart as Parker while comparisons around footwork are on a similar scale, but Fenech hopes the determination of a man fighting for his career will even up the ledger.
Tupou has everything to gain and in the eyes of most, little to lose.
The two most recognisable names on Tupou's 25-3 record are knockout loses to Bryant Jennings and Malik Scott.
Add in a loss to Parker and few, if any, promoters will want to know Tupou, unless it is to be a punching bag for an up and coming prospect.
His career has largely stalled since moving home to Australia from the United States in 2012 but Fenech says he will head into the Parker fight in career-best shape and with a better fight plan than he has had in previous fights.
"I've got him physically ready and I'll have him mentally ready."
Fenech keeps busy in life after boxing and said he would not be here if he did not think Tupou was going to be competitive.
"In the right frame of mind, if he believes in himself, he can knock anyone out," Fenech said.
"It's up to him now, he has to want to do it."
IAIN McGREGOR/FAIRFAX NZ
Bowie Tupou's boxing career will be shut out in the dark if he cannot beat Joseph Parker on Saturday night.
Jeff Fenech believes Bowie Tupou's right hand is not Joseph Parker's biggest concern.
Fenech, a former world champion boxer-turned-trainer, predicts Tupou will be the first opponent Parker has faced that shares the Kiwi heavyweight's desire to win when they square off in Invercargill on Saturday night.
Talk of Parker needing to avoid Tupou's right hand has been everywhere in the pre-fight hype, but Fenech, who corners Tupou, believes his fighter's desperation is what makes him a boilover chance.
The Australian heavyweight works out with trainer Jeff Fenech at the Round 12 Boxing Gym in Christchurch.
A loss for Parker would be a massive stumbling block on what is being touted as "the road to the title" by his promoters but defeat for Tupou would be the end of the road.
"He'll step into the ring knowing that he is the underdog but also knowing that this is his last chance," Fenech said in Christchurch on Wednesday.
Tupou is ranked 13 with the WBO but that will plummet if he loses to Parker.
Fenech believes if Tupou is beaten he can "plod along" with his career but big fights on the world stage will be off the radar.
"I've told him there is really nothing after this if he loses to Parker, it's all or nothing."
Parkerhas shown a stack of potential in compiling a 14-0 professional record but Tupou is arguably his first opponent who can genuinely see some chance of victory - albeit slim - rather than just a cheque at the end of the night.
"If he wins this fight he's right back up there again. He knows that and I know that, that's why we're here," Fenech said.
The Tongan-born heavyweight's hand speed is not even on the same chart as Parker while comparisons around footwork are on a similar scale, but Fenech hopes the determination of a man fighting for his career will even up the ledger.
Tupou has everything to gain and in the eyes of most, little to lose.
The two most recognisable names on Tupou's 25-3 record are knockout loses to Bryant Jennings and Malik Scott.
Add in a loss to Parker and few, if any, promoters will want to know Tupou, unless it is to be a punching bag for an up and coming prospect.
His career has largely stalled since moving home to Australia from the United States in 2012 but Fenech says he will head into the Parker fight in career-best shape and with a better fight plan than he has had in previous fights.
"I've got him physically ready and I'll have him mentally ready."
Fenech keeps busy in life after boxing and said he would not be here if he did not think Tupou was going to be competitive.
"In the right frame of mind, if he believes in himself, he can knock anyone out," Fenech said.
"It's up to him now, he has to want to do it."