(03-24-2017, 09:34 PM)diehard Wrote: [ -> ]It's 6 weeks. Don't forget April!
Haha. True that.
Samoan Prime Minister indicates financial support for Joseph Parker's WBO title defence in Auckland
The Samoan government look set to again provide crucial financial support for Joseph Parker's WBO heavyweight title fight with Hughie Fury in New Zealand.
Parker defends his world boxing title for the first time against the big Brit in Auckland on May 6.
With no support from Auckland City's promotional arm ATEED or the New Zealand government, Duco Events are again turning to Parker's strong Samoan connections for help.
Samoa stepped in at the last minute to provide about $140,000 for Parker's last fight in Auckland when he won the vacant belt by beating Mexico's Andy Ruiz in Auckland last December.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi told the Samoan Observer his government is willing to seriously consider another financial injection.
WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker visited the local Samoan villages when he toured the island after his world title win.
Duco Events co-owner David Higgins is heading to Apia to discuss the situation with the Prime Minister.
"I will meet with him and we will then discuss and talk about what's needed to be done," Tuilaepa told the Samoan Observer.
"We will discuss and go into details about how their preparations have been so far, ahead of the fight."
Tuilaepa felt it was important for Samoa to support Parker.
"The most important thing to me is (for Parker) to maintain and defend the title. It is a must that we support him so he can defend the title and hold on to it."
Samoa was given massive profile around Parker's last fight - both at the venue but, more importantly, on the New Zealand and international TV broadcast.
This fight against Fury will broadcast heavily into the UK and also around the world, enabling Samoa to again promote itself as a tourist destination.
Parker has Samoan parents and regularly holidays there.
He toured Samoa with his WBO belt in the aftermath to his win and in February he was awarded Samoa's Order of merit, the youngest recipient of the honour.
Parker has held one fight in Samoa during his unbeaten run over 22 professional fights.
Parker stands to earn around $2.4m for this fight after Duco Events won the purse bid to stage the bout at about $4.1m.
- Stuff
Boxchat nuthuggars@assn.com becomes very quiet as news of Hughie Furys dad and trainer granted a special visa to be beside his son in his quest for supremacy over Champion Jo Parker in their title fight.
Bloody fantastic..
What's been said has been said Sham. Everyone has put their picks down. It's time now to wait.
(03-27-2017, 08:04 PM)shamrock Wrote: [ -> ]Boxchat nuthuggars@assn.com becomes very quiet as news of Hughie Furys dad and trainer granted a special visa to be beside his son in his quest for supremacy over Champion Jo Parker in their title fight.
Bloody fantastic..
What more is there to say Sham? There's been no interesting news lately, other than Peter Fury being allowed in to NZ.
Some are picking Hughie, some Parker. May the best fighter win.
How about you tell us your prediction for the fight?
Haven't a clue really except very happy Hughie coach allowed into the country. Would have been just too easy if he wasn't. . May the best man win I agree. I'm irish of the same stock so I can lend support to Hughie and understand things with them. Not drugs though. But seen a bit of it.
50/50 fight for me, so many unanswered questions, I think it's impossible to be very confident one way or the other.
Just how hard does Parker really hit?
What is Hughie's chin like?
How will Hughie handle the step up in class?
How will Hughie handle the pressure, fighting in a different country?
How much will Hughie improve now that his health is better?
Does Parker really fight better against taller fighters?
Can Parker go 12 rounds, without badly gassing, while on the front foot?
How will Parker handle potential tactical changes in fight, i.e. Hughie switching to southpaw, coming forward etc.
Very difficult fight to predict for me.
Hughie has more skill than any parker opponent thus far but he hasnt got the power to finish the fight so he can only win a decision.
Unknowns about fury are durability and physical strength.
You saw in the dimitrenko fight how a major lack of physical strength is a big problem.
It comes down to if fury can shut parker down when he does his rage attack thing or not. If he can do that and reset, parker is in for a tough night.
If he cant, parker will close him down and take him out.
Im leaning towards parker because hes shown more at a higher level, but i dont rule out fury fighting up to his opponents level like tyson did against klitschko.
The other point id add is Peter fury is great at analysis and has turned down fights before that he didnt think were right for his fighters, yet he took this one. I do find that interesting.
(03-27-2017, 10:04 PM)shamrock Wrote: [ -> ]Haven't a clue really except very happy Hughie coach allowed into the country. Would have been just too easy if he wasn't. . May the best man win I agree. I'm irish of the same stock so I can lend support to Hughie and understand things with them. Not drugs though. But seen a bit of it.
You're also a Kiwi also Sham. On the other issue, happy that Peter is coming down, as I said earlier.
I think the dollars made sense for Hughie and his dad. It's apparently a heap more than what Hearn offered...which was termed as "cheap".