Joseph Parker v Hughie Fury: Bookies back Kiwi in WBO title fight
New Zealand's WBO world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is busy preparing for his second defence, a fight against Britain's Hughie Fury in Manchester.
New Zealand and British bookmakers are backing Joseph Parker to defend his WBO world heavyweight title against Hughie Fury in Manchester.
Taking his belt on the road to make his British debut hasn't dissuaded the men who set the odds.
The New Zealand TAB has Parker a firm favourite in head-to-head betting, offering $1.65 for the win.
Hughie Fury has to overcome a long period of inactivity to work his way past Joseph Parker.
They have placed Fury at $2.15 to win in his own back yard.
It's a similar line in Britain, where Ladbrokes has Parker at $1.67 and Fury at $2.20 with the draw at $21.
William Hill sees it slightly closer, offering $1.80 for Parker and $2 for Fury with the draw at $23.
No odds on how the decision will play out - via knockout or points - have been released yet.
The fight, a mandatory defence under the WBO rulings, is on September 23, with the two young heavyweights both unbeaten.
Fury hasn't fought in earnest since April last year. Parker has had five fights since then, including his title-winning effort against Mexico's Andy Ruiz and first defence against big Romanian Razvan Cojanu.
- Stuff
Joseph Parker's Coach: We Plan on Training at David Haye's Gym
By Ryan Burton
WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (23-0) is currently training in Las Vegas for his second defense of the title he won last December against Andy Ruiz. Parker won a majority decision over Ruiz and followed up with an unanimous decision victory over late replacement Razvan Cojanu in May.
While Parker has kept a very busy pace, Fury will only have only fought once in the past 17 months when they square off on September 23rd. That bout was only a six round exhibition bout on the Bradley Skeete-Dale Evans undercard on July 8th.
Kevin Barry, Parker's trainer, feels that the activity level of his fighter will be an advantage when they step in the ring.
haye-parker
"Obviously activity is a good thing and in 2014, '15 and '16, Joe fought five times a year. This year we have already fought once and Hughie has been inactive. That will bring challenges for him but the guy is fresh and young. I am sure that the six or eight rounder they got out there - I am sure they felt they needed to get out in front of a crowd and shake out so those things will definitely favor us," explained Barry.
He also confirmed that they will take up former champion David Haye on his offer to use his gym when they move their camp from Las Vegas to the UK.
"It is great for us to have the support of someone like David Haye for us. It is definitely going to make the transition a lot easier for us. We plan on training at his gym when we are in London," Barry told BoxingScene.com.
Barry and Parker have both felt for a long time that the biggest opportunities in the heavyweight division are in the UK and have been looking to fight out there for a while now. Barry said that they are treated very well out there and that they have received several offers from people that want to help them out when they cross the pond.
"We have been offered support by a lot of people. Tony Bellew has offered his support. There have been a few other people who have reached out as well. We are a good team and they feel comfortable with us - they don't feel threatened by us. We have a good reputation. Joe is well liked and I think this shows that by the people reaching out and offering their support," said Barry.
Hughie Fury has never seen anything like Joseph Parker before, taunts trainer Kevin Barry
Kevin Barry made it clear there will be nowhere for Hughie Fury to hide when he fronts Joseph Parker for the WBO world heavyweight title in Manchester on September 23.
Kevin Barry has questioned Hughie Fury's ability to handle a pumped up Joseph Parker and the pressures of a world title fight in the lanky Brit's own back yard.
Parker takes his WBO heavyweight belt to Manchester to defend it against Fury on September 23.
While Barry concedes there is heat on Parker to produce a statement performance in his British debut, he has confidence that will unfold and has instead argued the readiness of the unbeaten but untested 22-year-old Fury.
Joseph Parker's full focus is on Hughie Fury and producing a statement performance on the Kiwi heavyweight's UK debut.
There has been plenty of words coming out of the Fury camp about the physical development and new look of a fighter who hasn't fought in earnest for 18 months, a period where Parker has been busy, climbing into the top tier of the rejuvenated division.
"Talk is talk," Barry tells Stuff from Las Vegas where he has Parker starting the sparring phase of his training camp.
Trainer Kevin Barry likes the work ethic of Joseph Parker as they prepare for the WBO world title fight against Hughie Fury.
"Of course Hughie is evolving and developing ... he is a young guy and still improving. But that inactivity is one of the reasons why they never came down to Auckland to fight us on May 6, the time obviously wasn't right for them.
"It takes a lot of courage to be in this position and this is Hughie's first time in a major spotlight. There is huge pressure and expectations on him, he's fighting in front of his family and friends and fan base. We've had that luxury many times fighting in New Zealand and the way we look at this, travelling over there, is that all the pressure is on him.
"Joe's battle tested. He showed it against Carlos Takam and Andy Ruiz, two very physical, very aggressive fights. They are the sort of fights that have him ready. He is proven in the heat of battle.
"Hughie Fury has never been in a position like that. Joe has been heading pay-per-view cards since his fifth fight while this is Fury's first time in the spotlight.
"We see a lot of pressure on the young guy and I can promise you that Hughie Fury has never seen anything like Joseph Parker before."
Barry felt Parker had benefited from his extended break after a less than convincing first-up defence against Razvan Cojanu when Fury pulled out of the scheduled Auckland fight at the last minute, citing a back injury.
Parker, 25, had managed to shake off the shoulder and elbow issues that had dogged him over the past year and was training strongly, acutely aware of the importance of finally getting a fight in Britain which is now seen as the hotbed for heavyweights.
"Joe is very driven at the moment. He wants to look great. He knows that his last performance wasn't his best work, and we want make sure that this fight is something to be proud of," Barry said.
"The first three weeks here would be as good as I've ever had off Joe in the last four and a half years. He's very motivated, training very purposely ... he realises the opportunity that he has with this fight and what a successful defence will bring us.
"It's a real exciting time for us. We are pumped to be getting to the UK. Joe is very excited to be fighting there at 25 years of age, 23-0 and carrying a world title belt ... I think this is the right time, right now for us to stake a claim and build Joe's brand. We are very hyped up for this."
Barry saw only positives out of having a second camp totally dedicated to Fury, whose height and fight style make for an awkward night where Parker will surely have to dictate the pace of the bout.
"I have modified it and changed a few things up, even brought back some things from our early days. All in all, we have a very balanced training camp."
Parker faces four more weeks of sparring before heading to London to taper and then shifting north to Manchester in the middle of the fight week.
Barry has two new tall sparring partners coming on board for Parker over the next two weeks.
"One in particular will give a lot better than what Hughie Fury will give," t
