Can Hughie Fury beat Joseph Parker to become heavyweight champion?

Three reasons why he may pull off a win

Hughie Fury takes on New Zealand’s unbeaten Joseph Parker in Manchester on 23 September looking to become the WBO heavyweight champion of the world.

Parker will undoubtedly be a step-up in class for the 22-year-old. And the big question is, can he win?

Ahead of this huge bout, the Coral News team look at why he might be able to emulate his cousin, Tyson, and become a world champion.

Overcoming the odds

A battle with an undefeated heavyweight champion with big punching power has been the least of Hughie Fury’s problems in recent years.

In his mid to late teens and early twenties, the Manchester-based pugilist had battled with a fairly rare skin disease called Acne Conglobata.

The condition left his body scarred with large lesions and left him extremely fatigued. Despite 20 wins from 20 bouts, he claimed that, at times, he was fighting at just 40 percent of his ability.

If that is so, you would have to wonder what a 100 percent, lean, powerful, 6ft 6in Fury can achieve.

Intensive training camp

In preparation for this bout, Fury has gone back to basics with his training camp. And by basics, think Rocky Balboa in Rocky 4.

His trainer – his dad, Peter – is preparing the Stockport-born heavyweight in the middle of the Lake District up in North West England.

There, along with the usual sparring sessions and traditional cardiovascular methods, Fury has been put to hard labour – chopping wood, paddle-boarding and herding sheep.

The Furys like to do things their own way. And, invariably, it tends to work.

Hometown glory

Originally, this bout was scheduled to take place in Auckland, New Zealand – Parker’s hometown.

However, Fury had to pull out of the fight citing a back injury. Rescheduled for the Manchester Arena, the Briton now has home advantage.

And they don’t come more partisan than a Manc crowd cheering on their own.

Parker has never fought in the UK before so, on unfamiliar turf, taking on Fury in his own backyard could prove to be a big mistake.

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