Joshua vs Klitschko: Joseph Parker lines up Razvan Cojanu as Hughie Fury replacement
Wednesday 26 April 2017 08:42, UK
WBO Heavyweight champion Joseph Parker will face Razvan 'Big Foot' Cojanu on May 6 as a replacement for Hughie Fury.
Mandatory No 1 contender Fury was forced to pull out of the bout after suffering a back injury but Parker's team has found a similar replacement in Cojanu.
Duco Matchmaker Stuart Duncan believes the 6'5" Romanian world No 14 was the only credible contender to face Parker, who has been in training camp since January 30 preparing for a tall opponent.
While New Zealander Parker would love to face WBC champion Deontay Wilder, that never looked like an option, with the American in danger of being stripped of his title if he ignores his mandatory opponent Bermaine Stiverne.
Cojanu goes into the fight with strong credentials, having made his professional debut in 2011, with over 300 amateur fights under his belt.
The 30-year-old has previously signed contracts to fight contenders Jarrell Miller, Dillian Whyte and Luis Ortiz, only for all three opponents to drop out.
Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko: The Knockouts
Conjanu is big but mobile with a powerful left hook and has the advantage of knowing what Parker has been working on in camp.
The WBO Champion used Cojanu extensively in his camp to prepare for Alexander Dimitrenko and, as a result, pulled off one of the best results of his professional career.
Parker also faces Cojanu knowing he has never managed to drop the Romanian in sparring in any of his camps.
Watch Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium on April 29, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event online here or via your Sky remote.
