Boxing: Fenech adds extra clout to Tupou preparation

David Tua poses with Australian boxing great Jeff Fenech. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Bowie Tupou's trainer Jeff Fenech is looming as a wildcard figure in the fight Joseph Parker hopes will take him into the top echelon of the world's heavyweights.

A victory over the 13th-ranked Tongan Australian Tupou will take the eighth-ranked Parker into the big league - potentially the top five - and a potential fight in the near future against WBC champion Deontay Wilder, but it's a victory that will be made more difficult by the presence of Fenech in Tupou's corner.

Fenech, a Hall of Famer, former trainer of Mike Tyson, and world champion in three weight divisions - bantamweight, super-bantamweight and featherweight - will ensure Tupou, a big man, will be prepared like never before as Kevin Barry, Parker's trainer, well knows.

"I have huge respect for Jeff Fenech," Barry said.

"He's been to the big dance many times. He's an experienced guy, he was a great fighter and he's a very good coach. Jeff and I have known each other our whole boxing careers. Jeff will make Bowie Tupou a better fighter, there's no doubt about that.

"Bowie campaigned in America for a long time and he worked with a lot of good coaches. He worked with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym, he worked with Jeff Mayweather in Vegas, he has had some very good tutors over the years. Jeff Fenech is also a very good motivator, so whatever Bowie has, Jeff will get it out of him for this fight.

"Jeff is a smart guy. I'm sure he's watched all of Joe's fights and he would have taken notes. He would have looked at the good things that Joe does and the things Joe is susceptible to. He knows how to put a game plan together. It will come down to which fighter can implement the game plan best."

Tupou is said to have lost 12kg for the fight in Invercargill next Saturday, a loss testament to his determination to cause a big upset, says Parker.

"To hear that he has lost some good weight means he is determined to maybe make his career rise again," Parker said of the 32-year-old Tupou. "It's a big fight for us both - whoever wins can make the top five. I've trained as hard as I can and I feel ready and strong and fit."

Fenech and Barry greeted each other like old friends last month when the fight was announced in Auckland. But, as the bout approaches, the friendliness is likely to diminish. There are pay per view sales to consider, after all, plus the fact that Fenech is a sharp and entertaining speaker.

"I've known Kevin since 1983," Fenech told Brisbane's Courier Mail.

"We both boxed at the Commonwealth amateur titles in Belfast, the World Cup in Rome and then the LA Olympics in 1984.

"He's a great trainer but I think he's going to get a surprise when Joseph fights Big Bowie. I'll have Bowie in the best shape of his life. He has a huge left hook and has the power to give Joe Parker his first loss."