Monday 25 September 2017 13:07, UK
Joseph Parker's camp believe the WBO champion's hotly disputed points victory over Hughie Fury was an 'accurate result', says promoter David Higgins.
The New Zealander retained his WBO heavyweight title after a majority decision win over Fury on Saturday, with Britain's Terry O'Connor and American John Madfis scoring it widely 118-110 in his favour, while another US official, Rocky Young, scored it a draw at Manchester Arena.
Fury's own promoter, Mick Hennessy, described the Mancunian's first defeat as the "worst decision" he had seen, but David Higgins of Duco Events, who guides Parker's career, believes the correct winner was announced.
"I was a little bit nervous after the first card and then very massively relieved when the final card came through," Higgins told Sky Sports.
"I thought Joseph won a close fight, because he put the pressure on and was more active coming forward and we thought that some of Fury's punches maybe shouldn't have been scored, or whatever."
Marcus McDonnell replaced O'Connor as referee, with the official instead taking his place on the judging panel after a complaint from Higgins, who was satisfied that the boxing authorities in this country had treated his fighter fairly.
I'm the promoter, the business side. The boxing side in our camp believes it was an accurate result.
"I should pay credit to the British Boxing Board of Control," he said. "I criticised them, but should also be willing to pay credit where it's due, so I think they're quite a fair outfit.
"When fights are that close, it's probably hard to judge or officiate, there is pressure. I think they erred on just the right side in a pressure situation."
Asked if he was surprised by the 118-110 verdicts, Higgins said: "I'm the promoter, the business side. The boxing side in our camp believes it was an accurate result."
Parker admitted that Fury posed problems with his movement, but felt his 'aggression' helped to earn the 24th victory of his unbeaten career.
"I felt I won the fight," he said afterwards. "I'm very happy to be able to take the belt back to New Zealand. He put up a good contest, but he ran most of the time. We both put on a great fight, so I'm just saying that it's awesome to get the victory and hard work pays off.
"I feel aggression was good on my side. I feel like he did move well and he was really awkward. I think pressure and harder punches - I felt that we won the fight fairly. It's great to see the judges gave that way."
