Joseph Parker vs Razvan Cojanu- WBO Title May 6th, Auckland, NZ

Higgins told Radio Sport this morning that he was "pretty confident" of finding a replacement who met the WBO standard - it must be a top 15 fighter "with credibility". There were three or four candidates, but he would not name them.

"You cut a deal quick, get him on a flight today potentially," he said.

"Otherwise we can cancel the event and take our time, line up something offshore for July/August.

"We don't want to put up a bunny."

At least they didn't put up a "bunny."

They should have cancelled or like KO Kidd said fought a non title fight against a better opponent. Typical Duco.

 

Two weeks notice. No time to really "negotiate". Extremely unlikely to get a top guy in that situation.

Let's see Wilder - Parker next!!

 

Sick of seeing people blame Team Parker for this match, Parker isn't just a boxing drone - he invested 10 weeks of training to fight next weekend, he needs time in the ring both to keep away ring rust, and also just mentally. There was no one else who could, Breazeale is still on medical so wanted a few months, Wilder wants a July date, and Browne is not ranked in WBO. No one else publicly called him out, and days are ticking.

It's a poor match, but as others said - blame that on Team Fury for leaving it SO late.... this will be a poor name on Joe's resume now, but for completely different reasons to Wilder's ones.

 

No sensible person blames Parker or his team.

As for this Cojanu guy, he must feel like he won the lottery. Will he be entitled to the purse Hughie negotiated? Even if it is less money he still gets a title shot which otherwise wouldn't ever have happened a if you guys are right about his level.

 

Team Parker are putting this fight on. Who else can you blame? Sure Fury pulled out and that is unfortunate but Duco are the ones insisting on fighting on May 6th. They could have cancelled and worked on the Wilder fight. The break from all the fuss would probably do Parker good. If they refund everyone that doesn't want to go to this bullsh-t fight then fine put it on.

 

Lines were put through some of those names for various reasons - including not currently in training, not wanting to fight on such short notice and not interested full stop.

The reality is Duco had very little to choose from.

 

They were financially committed to May 6th and Parker is coming to the end of a training camp and needs a fight.

Not fighting on May 6th would also have played right into the Furys' hands with their fake injury and wanting the fight rescheduled shenanigans.

 

Povetkin got Duhaupas on a days notice. This is a bum fight and joke. Shame on all concerned.

 

What about Breazeale?

 

It was actually almost a week notice for Duhaupas.

 

Higgins says "Otherwise we can cancel the event and take our time, line up something offshore for July/August."

Taking this fight and putting a possible unification fight with Wilder in July in jeopardy is along the lines of a duck.

Parker could use the break after all the hassle and start fresh in a much more highly regarded fight.

 

Only a few posts up I covered both of these, Breazeale is not ready for a couple of months - he wasn't raising his hand for the 6th May specifically, he was just saying he's keen to fight now that Parker isn't fighting Fury

Parker has already had a postponement from the 1st April, thanks to the Fury camp... a second one postponement would be damaging (more so than it already would be) to Parker mentally, surely anyone who has trained HARD for a fight, or ANYTHING would understand this. Parker needs to fight, and is no doubt gutted he doesn't get one which justifies his efforts.

This is very typical of the Furys, putting people into a position which damages their name and also throws them mentally. I ****ing hate what they do to boxing.

 

Looks like a day to me. The only reports online about his pull out are dated 17th Dec, the day of the fight.

 

Duhaupas didn't have to deal with a long-haul fight and a 19 hour time difference like Cojanu will have to.

See also Lith's post above - the reality is Parker's choices came down to one perhaps two opponents.