12-01-2016, 05:15 PM
Joseph Parker's stablemate Izu Ugonoh leaves for his own challenge
Izu Ugonoh and Joseph Parker have built a strong bond shaping their exciting heavyweight careers.
Joseph Parker's stablemate Izu Ugonoh is heading in his own direction though he will continue to be trained by Kevin Barry.
Ugonoh's departure from Duco Events to a new promoter is expected to be confirmed on Friday.
Heavyweight Ugonoh is currently in his native Poland.
He has featured on several of Parker's undercards but won't fight on the December 10 WBO title card in Auckland where Parker takes on Mexico's Andy Ruiz.
Ugonoh has been living at the Barry's house in Las Vegas along with Parker.
The 30-year-old is unbeaten over 17 fights and is making progress in the rankings. But clearly it's time to get out of Parker's rather large shadow.
"Izu has been entertaining the New Zealand public for the last couple of years with devastating knockouts, his personality, his charisma and his charm," Barry said.
"Izu has been coming along for Joseph Parker's ride, now it's time for Izu to take his own path."
Parker said he wouldn't be distracted by the development.
"It would have been a great opportunity for him to fight on the undercard. But I guess he's taking a different path now and as long as he's happy we're all happy," Parker said.
Barry revealed that while Parker and Ugonoh trained together daily, he hadn't used Ugonoh as a sparring partner in this camp because of the size of Parker's opponent Andy Ruiz.
Ugonoh, with his height and extraordinary reach, was ideal for preparation for bigger opponents like Anthony Joshua.
"They train maybe three times a day, they feed of each other, they challenge each other, they have tremendous chemistry and they are great mates. But Izu is on his path now ... it's only fair," Barry said.
- Stuff
Izu Ugonoh and Joseph Parker have built a strong bond shaping their exciting heavyweight careers.
Joseph Parker's stablemate Izu Ugonoh is heading in his own direction though he will continue to be trained by Kevin Barry.
Ugonoh's departure from Duco Events to a new promoter is expected to be confirmed on Friday.
Heavyweight Ugonoh is currently in his native Poland.
He has featured on several of Parker's undercards but won't fight on the December 10 WBO title card in Auckland where Parker takes on Mexico's Andy Ruiz.
Ugonoh has been living at the Barry's house in Las Vegas along with Parker.
The 30-year-old is unbeaten over 17 fights and is making progress in the rankings. But clearly it's time to get out of Parker's rather large shadow.
"Izu has been entertaining the New Zealand public for the last couple of years with devastating knockouts, his personality, his charisma and his charm," Barry said.
"Izu has been coming along for Joseph Parker's ride, now it's time for Izu to take his own path."
Parker said he wouldn't be distracted by the development.
"It would have been a great opportunity for him to fight on the undercard. But I guess he's taking a different path now and as long as he's happy we're all happy," Parker said.
Barry revealed that while Parker and Ugonoh trained together daily, he hadn't used Ugonoh as a sparring partner in this camp because of the size of Parker's opponent Andy Ruiz.
Ugonoh, with his height and extraordinary reach, was ideal for preparation for bigger opponents like Anthony Joshua.
"They train maybe three times a day, they feed of each other, they challenge each other, they have tremendous chemistry and they are great mates. But Izu is on his path now ... it's only fair," Barry said.
- Stuff