By Gerardo Granados: This Saturday at the Manchester Arena, Lancashire, UK, the defending WBO belt holder Joseph Parker will try to make the second defense of his belt against Hughie Fury. As for Hughie Fury (cousin of the former heavyweight champion of the world Tyson Fury), this is his first shot at a major title. These fine sons of boxing were supposed to fight back in May 6 at New Zealand but Hughie Fury pulled out due a lower back injury.
There is not much expectation towards this heavyweight title bout. Maybe Parker´s last two outings cannot convince many fight fans to buy a ticket. Perhaps Hughie is quite dull and lacks the charismatic personality of his cousin Tyson. But for sure next Saturday both fighters must show hunger and determination to impress fight fans around the world.
There was a bit of controversy this past week when one judge and referee were announced, also at the weigh in there was a little pushing but that might have not been enough to ignite fight fans interest. So, this time Parker better not let this chance waste and better impress fight fans. As for Fury, well he is the local fighter and he is supposed to be backed by local fans so I expect to hear the loud UK fans once the fight begins.
For those who care for statistics, the WBO heavyweight title was disputed for the first time back in May 1989, that belt has been successfully defended 35 times in a span of 28 years; but only Wladimir has done it 5 consecutive times and then 15 times in a row; most of the holders have successfully defended the title only once or twice. It is quite shocking to notice that the WBO heavyweight title has been vacated 6 times and it is fair to say that there have been many known names that held that belt such as Ray Mercer, Michael Moorer, Tommy Morrison, Riddick Bowe, Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury.
Fury is a good boxer, I would rate him as a good contender but I am not impressed about him. He has good footwork but not on the level of his cousin Tyson. Has good hand speed and power but far from the level of Anthony Joshua. He does know how to use the ring and his height and reach, but lacks inside game. Hughie has a better corner advice than Joseph, which could play a major role during this fight.
Parker has a great jab, maybe in his last two fights he hasn’t showed it, but he does have a great jab. He has great hand speed, power and combinations, but he often drops his guard. He is quick on his feet also has natural killer instinct. Has a reliable chin but better stop being defensively reckless. In his last two fights he hesitated to let his hand go and better increase his punch output against Fury.
The referee will be a major factor in this fight and I don’t think that he will take any points off Hughie if he clinches as he usually does. Parker already knows how being the local fighter helps to win a decision, so he cannot let Fury rob him rounds in the last seconds of each round or stay inactive during any round.
Even if I feel that the old Parker will show up next Saturday, I base my call only on his last outings and not on historical record. Fury has all the advantages to win if he stays busy fighting tall behind his jab. Parker needs to get on the inside, but I doubt that the referee will enforce the rules properly and prevent any of the boxers from excessive clinching; so if I was to bet I would bet on Fury to win on points.
A friend of mine asked me if Hughie Fury can win by decision, so I replied to him that I think that Fury can clinch a close decision, but what about the reader, do you agree?
