Parker's fight on schedule despite injury scare

Parker's fight on schedule despite injury scare
sports code: Boxing
source: stuff.co.nz
Date: 10/10/14

Joseph Parker's fight remains on schedule despite an alarming injury to the New Zealand heavyweight boxer in training today.

Parker is due to fight Sherman Williams of the Bahamas in west Auckland on Thursday night.

Parker was into the fourth round of pad work with trainer Kevin Barry when he pulled out gripping his shoulder in obvious pain.

Parker lay on the floor as ice was administered to the shoulder.

He was whisked away and was taken to have the injury assessed by Dr John Mayhew, the top sports doctor who has worked with the All Blacks and is the current Warriors physician.

Dr Mayhew diagnosed the problem as bursitis of the shoulder.

"In certain positions it impinges or catches," Dr Mayhew said.

"This is a recurrence of a shoulder problem that he [Parker] has previously had and we will be reviewing it closely over the next few days. We hope it will settle down."

Promoters Duco Events said there was no suggestion at this stage that the fight will be cancelled.

But Barry and Parker's management team emphasised that no risks would be taken.

Parker is in the middle of a busy schedule that has him backing up this bout with a Fight For Life headline act in Hamilton in December against an opponent yet to be announced.

It was revealed today that Parker suffered the same injury in the build up to him impressive knockout win over American Brian Minto in early July, his last fight in New Zealand.

He has avoided surgery but a recurrence is clearly concerning."We'll let it settle down and see how it goes," a worried Barry said.

"Joe has had it before ... but it's not been serious enough to get an operation.

 "It usually takes a couple of days to come right. Let's not jump to conclusions. But it's not ideal ... it's put a bit of a dampener on the workout."

With Parker on an unbeaten streak of 10 wins and making big moves, there will be obvious caution, especially against a seasoned campaigner like Williams, the 42-year-old from the Bahamas who has 52 pro fights to his name.

"Six days [to go] is a bunch of time. But no, we won't take any risks. This guy [Williams] is an ultra durable, tough veteran. This fight was picked because of that. I want Joe's jab to be at it's best."

The left shoulder powers Parker's jab which has won praise from some of the bets in the business, including former world champion Larry Holmes who Parker met on his recent trip to the United States.

Barry was left shaking his head because Parker had been showing everything he wanted as he tapers down his training in Auckland on the back of a solid camp in Las Vegas.

"He was very sharp today. I've been very pleased with the buildup," Barry said.

Parker is now on a course of anti-inflammatories and has been ordered to wear a sling over the weekend.

"Joseph now needs to focus all his energy in getting fit," Barry added.

"The next 48 hours are a very important time and I'm hoping it will settle down otherwise we may have to consider an injection.

Naturally Parker is disappointed at the late setback.

"I've trained too hard for this fight for a setback now," he said.

- Stuff