Joseph Parker vs. Junior Fa - February 27, 2021

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joseph Parker's Coach Rejects Claim They Weren't Taking Fa Seriously

Eugene Bareman, trainer for undefeated heavyweight contender Junior Fa, has sparked a war of words over the recent postponement for the New Zealand grudge match with former WBO world champion Joseph Parker.

The two boxers were scheduled to fight each other on December 12, but the contest was pushed back after Fa, 31, was pulled from the fight due to abnormalities that were found in his blood.

Far will undergo surgery, with four weeks of rehab being planned out.

The fight could now be pushed back as late as March.

Bareman has now made claims Parker was not taking the fight seriously, with Parker's promoter, Dave Higgins, trying to run everything.

"One thing we've been reminded of is that this is 100 percent the 'Higgins Show'," says Bareman told News Hub. "It's all cool up here, but it's a sh-t fight backstage.

"David [Higgins] experienced this when he took Parker to fight [Anthony] Joshua. He had Eddie Hearn on his arse and now he's paying it back to us, making us work hard for everything. We lose the main advantage we had. They were not taking this fight seriously and you know that because Kevin Barry took his time coming back.

"We were already training for four weeks, before they decided to start. My gym at City Kickboxing, we run these streets. If you're partying with celebrities or scumbags, we will know about it. These guys are from Vegas, we run the streets. If they are not taking the fight seriously, we will know about it. This is a fight and it's going to get nasty. I have respect for Joseph and Kevin [Barry]. I like them, but at the same time, stuff those guys - they can kiss my arse."

Kevin Barry, Parker's trainer, rejected Bareman's claim that they weren't taking the fight seriously.

"At the age of 24, when he became the fourth-youngest WBO heavyweight champion, we did not take anything for granted," Barry said.

"We didn't take any opponent lightly and I can promise, with my hand on my heart, that we are not taking the fight lightly. I can't control what other people think or say. I can control what I say, I can promise you this is the fight we are taking very, very seriously.

"The stakes couldn't be higher for us. If we don't get this fight right, it's going to be a long time before Joseph gets back in the mix to fight for the world title. Junior is sixth in the world and unbeaten. Joseph is 27 and has fought some of the biggest names in boxing, but at the age of 28, Joe is starting to come into his prime."

[gregregegg]

Can see this getting pushed back late feb or March., both will get far over Christmas. Parker realy should fight someone else on dec 12, just to get a runout. The works been done basicaly, smash up Dempsey McKean or Lucus brown.

[joshj909]

Can see this getting pushed back late feb or March., both will get far over Christmas. Parker realy should fight someone else on dec 12, just to get a runout. The works been done basicaly, smash up Dempsey McKean or Lucus brown.

It appears to everyone not in Parker's camp that this would be the decision to make. There's also a few others he could've faced to keep busy that nobody would've complained about given the circumstances and wouldn't have been any trouble like Ahio, Opelu and Zhang. Unless you're a multi-million dollar fighter, not every fight can be a multi-million dollar fight. Sometimes they have to stay busy, try new things and add something to keep people interested in your career.

[candyslim]

Anybody else bored shitless by this never-ending saga? I wasn't exactly enthralled at the prospect of Parker v Fa in the first place.

[margaret thatcher]

i woulda liked fa- mckean more

[nmhz]

Anybody else bored shitless by this never-ending saga? I wasn't exactly enthralled at the prospect of Parker v Fa in the first place.

Agree. Parker needs to get back to the world stage and prove he deserves to be in the top 10. This fight does nothing for him.

"I have respect for Joseph and Kevin [Barry]. I like them, but at the same time, stuff those guys - they can kiss my arse."

A lot of respect there

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Its a terrible mismatch but probably does big bucks in that country

Nice cash grab for joe before he gets beat by an up and comer

[margaret thatcher]

Its a terrible mismatch but probably does big bucks in that country

Nice cash grab for joe before he gets beat by an up and comer

get your arse back in the politics section and give your commentary bruh

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

What else do you want my opinion on?!?! I havent looked at the section since my quick victory lap after the election

[margaret thatcher]

what will happen with court cases and faithless electors
will he concede/how will a transition go
where does this leave trump/republicans
2024 situation

etc

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

what will happen with court cases and faithless electors
will he concede/how will a transition go
where does this leave trump/republicans
2024 situation

etc

Done!

[margaret thatcher]

[candyslim]

i woulda liked fa- mckean more

Defo. I think I said the same earlier in the thread. For that matter Fa against Ahio, Goodall, Mailata, Huni even Opelu.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

A new date has been confirmed for the showdown between Joseph Parker and Junior Fa, with the world-ranked Kiwi heavyweights now set to clash at Auckland’s Spark Arena on Saturday, 27 February, 2021.

Previously scheduled for December, the bout was postponed after blood tests revealed Fa was suffering from a health issue that required the highly-rated, undefeated prospect to undergo surgery.

The official event Doctor appointed for the Parker v Fa fight night, Dr Dave Renata, yesterday confirmed that Fa’s recent surgery had been successful.

“Junior’s surgery was a success and he is well and truly on track to be fully fit and in very good health for the rescheduled date on February 27,” Dr Renata said.

Parker’s advisor, David Higgins of Duco Events, said this was great news and the exact result they had been waiting to hear so they could confirm the new date for fans anxious to see the biggest heavyweight clash featuring two Kiwis ever to be staged in New Zealand.

“While the postponement of the fight was disappointing, the most important thing is that both fighters are at their very best – and there are no excuses – when they step into the ring,” Higgins said.

Higgins pointed to the record-setting 2009 showdown between David Tua and Shane Cameron, which was also delayed after Cameron broke his hand during a tune-up fight.

“Interest only grew during the delay and the fight went on to set viewership records that still stand today,” Higgins said.

“And we all saw what happened when a clearly very frustrated David Tua finally got the chance to unleash his fury.”

Former WBO champion and current No. 3 contender Parker confirmed he was most definitely looking forward to relieving some pent-up frustration in what will now be a high-summer showdown between the former amateur protagonists.

“We’d been working really hard to ensure I peaked in December and delivered a performance that would have made the heavyweight division sit up and take notice,” Parker said.

“So it was very disappointing when Junior had to postpone. But these things happen in boxing. The good thing is that Junior is now on track to be 100 percent fit and ready to go in February. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Fa, (19-0, 10 KOs) who is ranked No. 6 by the WBO and 11 by the IBF, said he was looking forward to putting his health issue behind him and preparing for the biggest fight of his career.

“It is never ideal when these things happen, however I’m happy and relieved to confirm I’m now well and truly back on track,” he said.

“I’ve been looking forward to this fight for a long time now, so to once again have a date locked in is great.

“Joseph Parker has held a world title before, so when I beat him, I’ll be a giant step closer to realising my own dream.”

Fa’s manager Mark Keddell said his fighter was fully focussed on being at his peak on 27 February.

“The fact is Junior would not have received a medical clearance to fight in December, so there’s no point wasting any more time and energy on that,” Keddell said.

“We’ve dealt with the issue and moved on. Junior is now in great physical and mental shape. If there is any lingering frustration on the part of Duco and Joseph Parker, that’s their problem. Luckily this will all be sorted out in the ring in 11 weeks’ time. And then Mr Higgins will truly get to experience what disappointment feels like.”

[joshj909]

This comes third as the most drawn out fight that nobody wants to see after Charr Vs Bryan and Charr Vs Oquendo.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Bard of Boxrec]

Fa from a good matchup

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fa from a good matchup

[Bard of Boxrec]

They clearly didn’t travel Fa and wide to find this guy

[candyslim]

Oh dear, oh dear

[joe strong]

I have seen Fa quite a few times. He looked good against a couple of journeymen but getting dropped by a 45 year old Dominick Guinn didn't look good but he still won. I don't think it has the hype & Parker is a former world champion with a good list of oppponents on it. Fa is actually almost 3 years older & is way behind in terms of pro experience. This has another Tua/Cameron written all over it. I see Parker wanting to get back in the title hunt & this would be the perfect time to show the world he is still a contender. I think the fat cheques he got in the Whyte & Joshua fights may have hurt his motivavtion level so we will see if he still wants it. He is only 28. Parker by dominant early KO...

[candyslim]

It certainly seems to have hit his confidence level. He seems to have turned away from world-level opposition well before Covid became a factor. Maybe like you say the problem is his motivation or even both.

I think the only thing this fight has going for it (other than it is the best fighter against number 2, 3 or 4 in New Zealand) is the fact that Uaine "Junior" Fa twice beat (and twice lost against) Joseph Parker when they were amateurs. I don't think that is terribly significant now but it suggests Fa was once Parker's equal.

I think Parker is somewhere around 5 or 6 in the world. He needs to get back to reminding people of that.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Parker needs a real opponent before Fa-ther time catches up

[candyslim]

Fa be it from me to complain about the bad puns

[Ruthless-RKO]

Parker Had Surgery On Both of His Elbows While Fa Fight Was Being Rescheduled

Parker and his trainer started their 8 week training camp this past week. He has noticed a change.

"Joe is noticeably more comfortable in his training and his right hand is firing straight and hard," Barry told BS.com. "The postponement of this fight worked to our advantage as Joe was going to fight Fa even with the elbow issues."

“Now I’m seeing a higher work rate in the boxing gym training sessions and Joe is determined to begin 2021 in a devastating fashion. We will work again on our game plan for Fa and do skill set work for the first 2 weeks of camp before introducing 5 weeks of sparring and tapering off over the week leading up to the fight,” said Barry.