07-28-2015, 05:28 PM
Jeff Fenech backs Bowie Tupou to knockout Kiwi heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker
Heavyweight boxers Bowie Tupou and Joseph Parker square off at a media conference in Auckland ahead of their fight in Invercargill.
Boxing hall of famer Jeff Fenech is backing his fighter Bowie Tupou to deliver the knockout blow required to beat rising New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker.
Australia's three-weight world champion has been training Tupou for Saturday night's showdown in Invercargill and says the only way they will win is to put Parker on the canvas.
Fenech has promised early action in the quest to achieve that, acknowledging that the longer the fight goes on, the tougher Parker will be to beat.
"I believe Bowie will take Joseph Parker somewhere he hasn't been before," a confident Fenech declared as the fighters squared off at media conference in Auckland on Tuesday.
"He will do something to Joseph, especially over those first six rounds, that Joseph has never experienced before.
"I believe the only way that Bowie can win the fight is by knockout so we have trained to knock Joseph Parker out."
Fenech said he had been impressed by Tupou's work and attitude during their six-week training camp.
"Bowie has caused a lot of damage in the gym. He has knocked out opponents, he has dropped opponents with body shots."
Fenech had assembled Australia's best heavyweight talent, including Kali Meehan, Lucas Browne, and Solomon Haumono, to help Tupou's preparations for an opponent he clearly respects.
"Bowie sparred with all the best [Australian] heavyweights out there and had no problems whatsoever. He has come through unscathed. He will give Joseph Parker the real test that needs finally."
Much of the buildup to this fight, that has the WBO's Oriental Pacific (Parker) and African (Tupou) belts on the line as well as a potential No 5 spot in that respected organisation's rankings, has centred on Parker' supposed susceptibility to an overhand right.
Fenech reiterated that, but also added some perspective to the task in front of Tupou.
"One punch isn't going to be enough to knock Joseph Parker out. We have to punch in bunches and that's what we have done," Fenech said.
"Joseph will certainly be tested. This is a chance that Bowie has really needed. I believe that Bowie will cause a huge upset."
Tupou was more modest than his trainer, saying simply that he was well-prepared and believed he had what it takes to win.
Parker's trainer Kevin Barry believed Fenech's fight plan to attack heavily over the opening six rounds was "sensible" under the circumstances, but he backed his man to cope with the expected early storm.
"We have trained very hard to prepare for 12 rounds. The fight might be one round, but if it's 12 rounds I can promise you Joseph Parker will still be up on his toes and sticking that jab in Bowie's face at the end of the 12th round," Barry said.
Parker said he respected Tupou's power but he backed his own punch and his other skills to gain his 15th consecutive victory as a professional.
"I have to bring my A-game and show the defence we have been working on. We are going to box smart and use my height and be victorious at the end," a calm Parker said.
Heavyweight boxers Bowie Tupou and Joseph Parker square off at a media conference in Auckland ahead of their fight in Invercargill.
Boxing hall of famer Jeff Fenech is backing his fighter Bowie Tupou to deliver the knockout blow required to beat rising New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker.
Australia's three-weight world champion has been training Tupou for Saturday night's showdown in Invercargill and says the only way they will win is to put Parker on the canvas.
Fenech has promised early action in the quest to achieve that, acknowledging that the longer the fight goes on, the tougher Parker will be to beat.
"I believe Bowie will take Joseph Parker somewhere he hasn't been before," a confident Fenech declared as the fighters squared off at media conference in Auckland on Tuesday.
"He will do something to Joseph, especially over those first six rounds, that Joseph has never experienced before.
"I believe the only way that Bowie can win the fight is by knockout so we have trained to knock Joseph Parker out."
Fenech said he had been impressed by Tupou's work and attitude during their six-week training camp.
"Bowie has caused a lot of damage in the gym. He has knocked out opponents, he has dropped opponents with body shots."
Fenech had assembled Australia's best heavyweight talent, including Kali Meehan, Lucas Browne, and Solomon Haumono, to help Tupou's preparations for an opponent he clearly respects.
"Bowie sparred with all the best [Australian] heavyweights out there and had no problems whatsoever. He has come through unscathed. He will give Joseph Parker the real test that needs finally."
Much of the buildup to this fight, that has the WBO's Oriental Pacific (Parker) and African (Tupou) belts on the line as well as a potential No 5 spot in that respected organisation's rankings, has centred on Parker' supposed susceptibility to an overhand right.
Fenech reiterated that, but also added some perspective to the task in front of Tupou.
"One punch isn't going to be enough to knock Joseph Parker out. We have to punch in bunches and that's what we have done," Fenech said.
"Joseph will certainly be tested. This is a chance that Bowie has really needed. I believe that Bowie will cause a huge upset."
Tupou was more modest than his trainer, saying simply that he was well-prepared and believed he had what it takes to win.
Parker's trainer Kevin Barry believed Fenech's fight plan to attack heavily over the opening six rounds was "sensible" under the circumstances, but he backed his man to cope with the expected early storm.
"We have trained very hard to prepare for 12 rounds. The fight might be one round, but if it's 12 rounds I can promise you Joseph Parker will still be up on his toes and sticking that jab in Bowie's face at the end of the 12th round," Barry said.
Parker said he respected Tupou's power but he backed his own punch and his other skills to gain his 15th consecutive victory as a professional.
"I have to bring my A-game and show the defence we have been working on. We are going to box smart and use my height and be victorious at the end," a calm Parker said.