by Bryce Wilson: Meeting up with Kevin Barry in his suite at Auckland’s Pullman Hotel and making small talk he ruefully remarks on the bumps and lumps that come from training not one but two very powerful heavyweight contenders. Barry now finds himself in the relatively unique situation of having both heavyweight contender Joseph Parker and recently adding Polish up-and-comer Izu Ugonoh living with his wife and family in Las Vegas.
It turns out this isn’t the only cerebral tome that has taken his interest as he mentions an autobiography on billionaire investor Warren Buffet as well as Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad as other recent reads. Having seen Joseph brutalize opponents in the ring it is a strange dichotomy to discover his interest in self-improvement books but also encouraging to see an athlete who fully understands and embraces the importance of mental preparation.
By Bryce Wilson: Undercard: Up and coming undefeated Polish heavyweight contender Izu Ugonoh completed a satisfactory second trip to New Zealand with a comprehensive knockout of Thomas Peato 1 minute 15 seconds into the second round. A vicious left hook to the body left Peato unable to continue as Ugonoh moves to 11-0 (9KO’s) with the win.
Despite placing a $1000 bet on himself at generous odds of 9-1 with the NZ TAB American challenger Jason Pettaway had looked nervous at the Wednesday lunchtime weigh-in, unused to the level of media coverage he has received in the lead up to this fight.