Rival boxing camps settle verbal feud

David Higgins is escorted from the mid-week press conference in London ahead of Joseph Parker's world title belt defence. Photo by PHOTOSPORT

Title-holder Joseph Parker and England title challenger Hughie Fury will slug it out for the WBO world heavyweight belt tomorrow - but members of the two boxers' camps have kissed and made up after a verbal slug-fest out of the ring.

The build-up to Parker's second title defence in Manchester has been dominated by the chaotic scenes at a mid-week press conference at luxury hotel The Marylebone in London; which saw Parker's promoter David Higgins being evicted by security after a battle of words with Fury and his father and trainer, Peter Fury.

Higgins had approached the top table at the press conference complaining about the choice of referee for the fight; later telling journalists he had downed a couple of drinks before the exchange.

Hughie Fury labelled him "snow white", while Peter Fury delivered several expletive-laden rants, adding that Higgins was "squealing like a pig".

Talking to the Weekend Herald as the Fury camp finishes off touches to the bout in Manchester, Peter Fury said he regretted the nature of the outburst.

But he added the murky world of professional boxing wasn't for the faint-hearted.

"We wind each other up," he said. "It's the norm in boxing, there is a lot of banter. A lot of people get upset with the things I say but it's not what I mean at all."

He now understood where Higgins was coming from, but didn't appreciate the way the New Zealand promoter chose to get his views across.

"Well, I wasn't too happy with it," he said. "But it was done on the spur of the moment and it was a bit of anxiety from David trying to get the best for his fighter.

"I suppose he thought the only way he could get success was by doing what he did."

Talking to the Weekend Herald from the UK, Higgins said his press conference antics were "deliberate", both to get exposure for the world title fight and also have Terry O'Connor replaced as ref; something that was confirmed on Thursday.

"My position was completely legitimate," he said.

Higgins said he was happy to take reaction to his actions on the chin despite being this week's "walking headline".

"In boxing you have to have a thick skin" he conceded.

"When I was younger I used to care but once you've been through so many battles you figure what's important in your life - you know, family, friends, loyalty. You can't control what other people think."

And he still stood by his comments at the press conference.

"I make no apologies for fighting [for] a level playing field for Joseph Parker," he said. "I make no apologies for highlighting the hypocrisies of the British boxing board in trying to get an impartial referee. I make no apologies for fighting for some equality on the map.

"People know about the fight, they will watch it and talk about it and follow Joe's career. Have I ruffled a few feathers? Probably. But I make no apologies because my heart is in the right place and I am doing my job."

Fury said he made his comments to Higgins to get a rise out of him.

In relation to his son calling Higgins "Snow White", he said that was in relation to Higgins appearing "very pale".

"David looked very stressed and pale - like he'd seen a ghost," he laughed.

Peter Fury is one of the most colourful figures in the UK boxing scene.

He has previously served prison time for possession and intent to supply drugs, as well as money laundering.

His criminal past almost saw him barred from entering New Zealand for an earlier planned, but subsequently canned, bout between his son and Parker.

"I don't hide my past but everybody has a past - so everybody should own up to it and accept what they do," he said. "I am not proud of my past - it is regrettable.

"I'd like to say 'Hello' New Zealand. You have a lovely country. I haven't been. I'd love to come but I don't think I'm allowed."

Meanwhile, Higgins confirmed his partner Augustine Mon is in the UK with him.

Mon split from her husband ex-All Black Marc Ellis last year.

"We are good," Higgins said of his relationship. "All I can say is she is wonderful and bloody supportive."

He is also confident Parker will successfully defend his world title on Sunday.

"If Joseph does box Fury out - that's what people will remember and one day they might look back and say, 'David helped make the fight famous and put him on the map'."