No chance of Joseph Parker's win over Hughie Fury being overturned, says WBO vice-president John Duggan

  • 25/09/2017

The Fury camp's intention to lodge an official appeal to the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) over their fighter Hughie Fury's loss to Joseph Parker will likely be in vain, according to the governing body's vice-president John Duggan.

Duggan, who would have a significant presiding influence over any complaint in his role as supervisor of the fight in Manchester, said there was no possibility that the majority decision win could be overturned by the WBO.

Only the British Boxing Board of Control (BBoC) has the authority to make such a ruling. Given the Furys' tempestuous history with the BBBoC, the chances of that happening seem highly unlikely.

The best outcome the Fury camp could hope for is an enforced rematch, which would represent the full extent of the WBO's powers in reviewing the contest.

Given what Duggan believes was a comfortable majority decision win for Parker, that may also be a longshot.

"I thought the score was regular, and I thought the 114-114 score was somewhat unusual," said Duggan.

"[Parker] deserved the win. He boxed courageously in a hostile environment."

Fury's promoter Mick Hennessy was outspoken following the fight, claiming that both Hughie and brother Tyson Fury were victims of a "witch hunt" after the judges returned two scorecards of 118-110 in the Kiwi's favour and one of a 114-114 draw.

"I know corruption is a strong word, but I tell you now, there are forces at work around this game. We will put in an appeal and protest as strongly as we can," he told the BBC.

"I thought it was a masterclass by Fury. I thought he wiped the floor with him. He was gliding round the ring hitting him with jabs at will - it was shades of Ali the way he was moving.

"I had Hughie at least four rounds ahead because Parker was swinging and missing. Hughie has had a very bad decision."

Duggan admitted that he thought Parker clearly came out on top, but it was still a tightly-contested bout.

"I think he won the fight, I think he won a close fight. Just because the score was wide, doesn't mean it wasn't close," he explained.

"With the way boxing's scored you can have an extremely close fight, and have a boxer win every round by a close margin. That happens quite a bit."

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