Parker and Fury were supposed to meet back in May in New Zealand, but Hughie Fury pulled out at the last minute citing injury. Parker’s team had suggested from the beginning, even before he pulled out, that their British mandatory challenger had no intention of ever actually traveling to New Zealand. They seem increasingly prophetic over time as the rebooked WBO heavyweight title fight is now set for the UK.
Joseph Parker (23-0, 18 KOs) earned his title shot with a 2016 win over underrated Carlos Takam. He stayed busy with two lighter touches against powerful, but limited Solomon Haumono and former busted prospect Alexander Dimetrenko before winning his belt against the talented Andy Ruiz Jr in an extremely close decision to close the year. When Fury dropped out of their fight in May only days away from the contest, Parker and his team were forced to scramble for a new opponent. Unknown Razvan Cojanu of Romania took the fight and was soundly defeated in a thoroughly uninspiring performance by both fighters.
Hughie Fury (20-0, 10 KOs) is the cousin of controversial recent former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. That familial connection is largely his worth in the division as he is lacking significant wins. Last April, in his most recent fight, Fury defeated solid journeyman Fred Kassi by technical decision for his best win. Kassi himself is now 0-4-1 in his last five, however, albeit against top competition. Given the long layoff, Fury is planning a light tune up in early July before his first title shot.
The fight will take place in Fury’s hometown of Manchester on September 23rd. It will be Joseph Parker’s fourth fight outside of the South Pacific and his first since 2014.
