Frank Warren Reacts To Hughie Fury vs. Joseph Parker Situation
Apr 28, 2017 • 5:34 AM ET
By Frank Warren
As is often the case, there were a few conspiracy theories floating about following the withdrawal of Hughie Fury from his WBO world heavyweight title challenge against the champion Joseph Parker.
The fact of the matter is that Hughie is injured and, let’s be honest here, he is not going to have given up such a bumper payday lightly.
He has hurt his back and training has been significantly disrupted. Until he has recovered properly the prospect of a 24 hour flight to New Zealand is not one that is going to appeal.
Hughie will be ready to resume full training in about three to four weeks time and medical evidence has been provided to the relevant parties.
Fights falling out of bed so close to the date is always a shattering blow to everyone concerned – as I know as well as anyone – but there is no reason why Hughie should not still be next in line for a shot at the title.
He is the mandatory challenger and, in this sport more than most, injuries do happen and it is through no fault of his own.
It is a fight I strongly fancy him to win and I hope a new date will be sorted soon.
*****
Talking of statements, young Lyon Woodstock made an emphatic declaration of future intent with the way he went about winning his first title on Saturday night.
The 23-year-old Leicester lad, who calls himself ‘The King’, won the Midlands Area belt in just his ninth fight against Paul Holt and showed that he has got the bottle to go with his natural brashness.
Area titles provide an ideal proving ground for young prospects and, on occasions, they get a rude awakening against opponents who are happy to put them in their place.
Holt himself was probably thinking along those lines as he jumped on Lyon from the off and for the first round and a half he was all over him.
That Lyon kept his composure before unleashing his own spiteful brand of punishment showed what he is all about.
It is the start of big things for him, he is someone I have had faith in from the beginning and I have been banging the drum.
He is colourful and he can fight – and he is a good kid to work with.
The fans in Leicester came out to support him in numbers and the Leicester Arena is going to be the home of Lyon Woodstock for a while now.
