Joseph Parker could face Tony Bellew to boost interest in Anthony Joshua fight, says his promoter
By Richard Damerell
Last Updated: 22/06/17 12:27pm
Joseph Parker could defend his WBO heavyweight title against Tony Bellew if he defeats Hughie Fury
Joseph Parker could defend his WBO heavyweight title against Tony Bellew if he defeats Hughie Fury
Joseph Parker could view Tony Bellew as an "attractive" option to set the scene for an Anthony Joshua fight next summer, says the WBO champion's promoter.
The New Zealander is expected to make an announcement in the next few weeks about facing Hughie Fury in a mandatory title defence, but his promotional team Duco Events have held initial talks about future fights with Bellew and Joshua.
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Bellew has admitted he would seriously consider a world title fight instead of a rematch with David Haye, and Parker's backers believe a battle with the Merseysider would boost interest in a unification clash with Joshua.
Team Parker are off to Brisbane for the Pac Horn fight then heading to London, im assuming to watch H Furys warm up fight and promote the WBO world title fight in Sept. Then back to Vegas to begin camp.
Joseph Parker v Hughie Fury at Manchester Arena on September 23
Posted on the Duco Facebook page.
Beat me to it. Well done. Since I've already copied it, I'll paste it. What the hell...
Joseph Parker to fight Hughie Fury deep in enemy territory in first offshore title defence video
Duco Events
Joseph Parker will fight Hughie Fury in Manchester on September 23, Duco Events confirm.
Joseph Parker will go into enemy territory to defend his WBO world heavyweight title.
The 25-year-old will fight Hughie Fury in the Englishman's hometown of Manchester on September 23, choosing to take him on in the lucrative United Kingdom market, despite Fury failing to show up to their May 6 showdown in Auckland because of a supposed back injury.
Duco Events confirmed the news on Monday, with Parker saying he didn't hold any ill will towards Fury for not making it out to New Zealand.
"The idea of going to the UK is something I am looking forward to, and no I don't hold any grudges [about Fury not coming to NZ on May 6], I just go in there respect my opponent and do what I have to do.
"That's go in there and win the fight and defend my title and keep it here."
WBO heavyweight boxing champion Joseph Parker will defend his belt against Hughie Fury on September 23.
Parker said he wouldn't be bothered by taking on the 22-year-old in his hometown, with the 21,000-seat Manchester Arena expected to be vociferous in their support of their local lad.
"The crowd against me? I will use it as energy and motivation to put on a great show and fight hard.
"I know there will be a lot of supporters for him [Fury] but I know I back myself and put on a great show, and hopefully get him out of there."
Many people felt Fury's back injury claim in April was fabricated, including those in Parker's camp.
"There is a possibility that Hughie Fury is actually injured ... I'd say about a one in a billion chance. But we can't rule that out," Duco Events boss David Higgins said at the time, reflecting on the souring relations between the two camps in the leadup to the cancellation.
At that point, the prospect of a rescheduled fight with Fury didn't sit comfortably with Higgins.
"We have not had any conclusive discussions with Team Fury about that. Someone in the camp reached out ... obviously the trust level of our side is pretty low," Higgins said, indicating massive money might be the only bridge available.
"If they did want a serious look at making the fight happen, they basically need to pay a big, big sum of money up front. Then the trust issues disappear."
Romanian Razvan Cajanu came in as a late replacement for Fury and Parker laboured past him to win the first defence of his title via unanimous decision.
Fury was typically confident in the video to announce the fight.
"I've never had a close fight. I've won every round of every single fight. I'm going to let my fists do the talking and I'm going to take his belt home with me," he said.
Fury is the mandatory challenger for Parker's title, so a fight has long been on the cards between the pair, even after he missed the first fight.
He has not fought since April 2016, but has pencilled in a fight against an unnamed opponent on July 8 at the 7500-seat Copper Box Arena in London's Olympic precinct. Parker is expected to attend the fight at ringside.
Fury is unbeaten in his 20-fight pro career, with 10 knockout wins, but has never faced anyone of Parker's class - the Kiwi fighter also has a perfect record of 23-0 with 18 knockouts.
- Stuff
September it is. Goodluck to the kiwi boy. Up hill battle over there and no hometown advantage. Hughie Will be ready by yhen.
Good luck to JP. He will need it.
(06-26-2017, 03:16 PM)Msreef Wrote: [ -> ]Good luck to JP. He will need it.
You beat he will! Short camp then off to the otherside of the world where a whole lot of mad gypsies will be wanting his blood.
Hope I'm wrong but at this stage there is plenty going against Parker which usually means... mind, he will be massive in UK if he wins and they Whyte fight will be worth big coin he if beats Hughie. Make no mistake, the AJ fight isn't happening in the next few years if he can't put away Hughie and White first
Yep good luck to him (providing Hughie turns up of course).