Former world boxing champion Barry McGuigan has voiced concerns about the failure to appoint a neutral referee for Joseph Parker's upcoming world title defence.
Joseph Parker training in London. Photo: Photosport
Parker will defend his world heavyweight WBO title against Hughie Fury in Manchester next weekend.
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) has named British referee Terry O'Connor to control the fight, the same official in charge of Hughie Fury's last two bouts.
Parker has called for a netural referee for the bout describing O'Connor as a "home-town appointment."
Joseph Parker with former featherweight champion Barry McGuigan Photo: Photosport
Former world featherweight champion and boxing promoter Barry McGuigan visited Parker's training camp in London and also questioned the decision to appoint O'Connor to oversee the bout.
"I can understand why Parker's team would be concerned having a British referee and, with the greatest of respect, Terry O'Connor is, I've got to be careful what I say, he's a decent referee."
"I'm not so sure he should be handling a world heavyweight title fight."
"But I believe that the board of control will make sure that he's fair. They'll make sure that he's fair and I have that type of faith in the Board of Control."
"I know Robert Smith and all the team. They're a very, very solid, decent bunch of people. They will make sure it's a fair fight, even though it's in the UK, they will make sure all of the decisions are fair."
Joseph Parker training in London. Photo: Photosport
Parker's manager David Higgins that the appointment contravenes the BBBoC's own guidelines.
"This appointment of 'home town' officials contravenes the WBO's guidelines that officials should be neutral, and clearly leaves the contest open to speculation about bias and impropriety," said Higgins.
"Mr O'Connor refereed Hughie Fury's last two fights, so it is patently inappropriate for him to have any influence over this world title fight."
"The entire world knows that Hughie Fury is going to run away from Joseph Parker, clinch, elbow, headbutt and do whatever he can to steal a result. Having a referee with whom he is familiar clearly provides an unfair advantage."
