JOSEPH Parker has defended his WBO heavyweight world title belt with a tight majority victory over Hughie Fury at the Manchester Arena on Sunday morning (AEST).
It was the New Zealand sensation’s second defence of his belt, having won the vacant title over Andy Ruiz Jr. in December last year (majority decision), then defended it against Razvan Cojanu in May (unanimous decision), and maintains his perfect record.
He is now 24-0 with 18 knockouts.
In a tightly fought bout, Parker won over two judges — who scored the fight 118-110 in his favour while the third judge couldn’t split the fighters, and scored it 114-apiece.
Fury tried to negate Parker’s power with his movement and foot speed, but the champion easily won the final rounds as Fury tired. Parker failed to land many clean hits, though, in an uneventful fight in Fury’s home city of Manchester.
Hughie was attempting to match the achievement of his cousin, Tyson, in becoming world heavyweight champion. Tyson was in Hughie’s corner at Manchester Arena and leapt into the ring after the fight was over, mobbing his cousin in an attempt to convince the judges.
Fury, who lost for the first time in 21 professional fights, is the subject of an ongoing UK Anti-Doping investigation after low-level traces of the steroid nandrolone were found in samples given by him in February 2015. He has denied any wrongdoing and is challenging their findings, leaving him free to box.
Parker will now fancy himself as a contender to British superstar Anthony Joshua – the IBF, WBA and IBO heavyweight champion. Joshua had tipped the Kiwi slugger to prevail agaisnt Fury.
“Parker is more of the brute – a stronger guy. He has that New Zealand style, he’s very strong,” Joshua told Sky Sports before the fight.
“Hughie, like his older cousin Tyson Fury, is on his back foot jabbing. He moves off and takes a little walk around the ring. He can do that round after round, and feel comfortable.
“It’s a really good fight because, over a 12-round fight, there’s nowhere to hide. If Parker can pin Hughie Fury down, he should get the win.”
TALE OF THE TAPE
AGE: Parker 25, Fury 23
DEBUT: Parker 5/7/2012, Fury 22/3/2013
RECORD: Parker (23-0, 18 KOs), Fury (20-0, 10 KOs)
STANCE: Parker orthodox, Fury orthodox
WEIGHT (OFFICIAL): Parker 112kg, Fury 102kg
HEIGHT: Parker 193cm, Fury 198cm
REACH: Parker 193cm, Fury 203cm
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