Bob Jones: Joseph Parker's victory over Hughie Fury could have gone either way

WBO Heavyweight World Champion Joseph Parker with his belt and trainer Kevin Barry. Photo / Photosport.

Outspoken boxing enthusiast Sir Bob Jones is pleased Joseph Parker retained his WBO world championship title, but believes he was fortunate to come away with the majority decision win over Hughie Fury.

Parker's former mentor felt Fury's awkward style made the 25-year-old Kiwi look bad throughout a messy 12 rounds at the Manchester Arena, but could not split the pair and was unsure which fighter would be awarded victory.

"I was pleased for him because I didn't expect him to get the verdict," said Jones.

"It was one of those tricky ones that you could score either way.

"The (114-114) draw didn't surprise, the first score announcement. I was a little surprised by the 118-110, I've got to be frank about that, but that's the way the Judges saw it.

"But I think he was fortunate, not that that I'm saying that it was a bad decision, but it was a surprising decision in that it could have gone either way.

"I found it fascinating. I didn't know who they were going to give it to in the end - I doubted think anyone did.

"I was pleasantly surprised for Joseph."

Jones praised the tactical nous of Peter Fury, Hughie's father and trainer, which saw the 23-year-old maintaining his distance and changing angles to make it difficult for Parker to assert any dominance.

Fury's cousin, Tyson, also employed similar tactics to great effect in his stunning victory over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in 2015.

"That's how he fights. It's very effective. He's not as good as his cousin, he doesn't have any punching power for a start, but it's incredibly effective," he said.

"He's a terrible opponent for any fighter. Peter Fury is a master tactician.

"This was always going to be a damned awkward opponent for Joseph, so in a sense it made him look bad, but Tyson and Hughie, they make everybody look bad.

"He's got to be careful who he chooses in future, he didn't make him look good."

Jones suspected the decision would go against Parker, and noted his supporters and promoter David Higgins were subdued as they awaited the judges' scores, while Fury and his team appeared confident he had done enough to claim victory.

"They should be very happy with the outcome. I'm sure David Higgins didn't expect that result and they looked pretty despondent in the corner waiting for the verdict. Whereas the Fury camp assumed they'd won it.

"They took it very well and it was good to see such sportsmanship.

"So everybody should be very pleased on Joseph's side, especially Higgins."