The details of Joseph Parker's next defence of his world heavyweight title have been announced at last - the Kiwi will fight Hughie Fury at Manchester Arena on September 23.
"I'm very much looking forward to this fight," Parker said in a statement released this morning by his promotion team. "It's been a long time coming but the contract is signed thanks to my promoter David Higgins and I am ready to get going.
"David has worked very hard to get the contract sorted and now that it's ready and the date is confirmed, we're looking forward to going over to the UK and making a statement and putting on a great show.
"The idea of going to the UK is something I am looking forward to, and no I don't hold any grudges [about Fury not coming to NZ on May 6]. I just go in there respect my opponent and do what I have to do. That's go in there and win the fight and defend my title and keep it here."
The time the negotiations has taken is probably an indication of what is at stake, and the fact that Parker and his team will have felt short-changed by Fury's apparent back injury, a problem which forced the cancellation of the fight and a quickly arranged bout for Parker against Razvan Cojanu, a sparring partner.
The Furys have things on their terms now - a fight at home in front of what will be a big and supportive crowd. But Parker will be confident about beating the cousin of Tyson, a 22-year-old who is unbeaten as a professional, but who has never fought anyone of the calibre of Parker.
"I've never had a close fight," Hughie Fury said. "I've won every round of every single fight.
"I'm going to let my fists do the talking and I'm going to take his belt home with me."
Fury, who remained the mandatory challenger to Parker's WBO title despite his late withdrawal from the May fight, will take part in a warm-up bout in London next Saturday, which Parker and trainer Kevin Barry will attend.
