Fa-Parker fight officially delayed for early next year [1]
Tuesday, November 24, 2020 - 16:53. Updated on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 - 09:34.
The highly anticipated matchup between heavyweight boxers Uaine Fa Jnr and Joseph Parker, has been officially postponed in a statement released today by organisers of the professional bout - Duco Events.
Duco Events stated that they were formally notified that Junior Fa had a medical issue, and that they would announce a new date next week, expected to be held in late February or early March at Auckland's Spark Arena.
The announcement comes after a joint press conference yesterday between Fa and Parker, confirming a news report that Fa was undergoing surgery. Team Fa have declined to give any further details regarding the surgery.
At the joint press conference, Fa’s trainer Eugene Bareman assured journalists that the Fa would be fit and ready for Parker following surgery. Regardless, Bareman expressed his disappointment saying they had lost the advantage of surprise.
“We lose the main advantage we had and the main advantage we had was that these guys weren’t taking this fight seriously...my team felt that they weren’t taking it seriously, now they have more time, they’ve seen the shape that Junior’s in, now we’re going to lose a part of that advantage.”
Meanwhile, Duco Events founder David Higgins said he wanted both fighters to be fully ready for the fight, but did not hide his contempt for team Fa.
“I just hope that Joseph Parker makes them pay for the extra time we’ve had to wait.”
“Frankly, we’re a bit pissed off at the carryon from their camp, they’ve pissed us around so do I feel sorry for the changes, not at all — we’re the ones taking the financial risk.”
“At least these guys are going to fight fully fit so for that reason I won’t complain because I do want them both fully fit in a fair fight, for me that’s important.”