Junior Fa

Junior Fa’s team to appeal KO result due to ‘illegal’ punches

South Aucklander Fa was stopped in the first round of his fight against 43-year-old Australian Browne in a huge upset on the undercard of the George Kambosos v Devin Haney main event at Melbourne’s Marvel Arena on Sunday.

It was only Fa’s second defeat in 21 professional fights after he lost on points to Joseph Parker in February last year and if it stands it will be potentially career damaging.

Boxer Junior Fa: 'I’ll just beat him up throughout the fight'

Fa says he’s feeling excited and prepared for his first fight since his loss a year ago against Joseph Parker.

“A lot of time has passed. A lot of time for me you know get my butt into gear and into the right mind frame. Finally to have a date where I get back in the ring is awesome.”

He says he’s been honing his skills and looking forward to coming out of this one with a win. Fa, who's 32 years old, is up against a fighter who's 13 years older, though they both stand at 1.96m (6ft 5 in).

Parker eyes next fight after defeating Fa

Parker claimed a unanimous points victory after being forced to go the full 12 rounds by his former amateur rival in Auckland on Saturday night.

While it wasn't the knockout win he was looking for, Parker's manager David Higgins said an already rumoured fight against former world title challenger Chisora remained most likely to come next.

"Who knows, Chisora might want the fight even more now.

Joseph Parker defeats Junior Fa after going the full 12 rounds

The bout went the full 12 rounds, with Parker finishing ahead on all three judges scorecards - 119-109, 115-113, 117-111 - to collect a unanimous points decision.

The former WBO world champion went into the fight ranked third with that organisation, while Fa was ranked fifth.

The fight was the first between the two South Aucklanders in the professional ranks. They fought four times in amateur boxing, winning two fights each.

Earlier, David Nyika started his professional career with a bizzare first round knockout win over Auckland's Jesse Maio.

Joseph Parker, Junior Fa ready to put it on the line

After months of respectful build-up, the softly spoken South Aucklanders of Pasifika descent were set to resume their amateur rivalry for the first time as professionals.

The bout represented a crossroads moment for former WBO world champion Parker, now ranked third with the organisation.

Overcome fifth-ranked Fa, and the 29-year-old's dream of becoming a two-time heavyweight world champion remained very much alive.

Lose, and that door was shut - potentially for good.

Joseph Parker predicting knock out win against Junior Fa in must-win fight

Parker took a short break from his preparation on Friday, to spar with Luna Rossa co-helmsman Jimmy Spithill, to help promote the fight.

There was no clear winner in that contest, but the 29-year-old is looking for a definitive result when he takes on Fa at Spark Arena.

Parker is the red hot favourite to win the fight and says he’s expecting Fa to hit the canvas at some point.

New dates for Parker-Fa fight

The original fight was due to be held on December 12th but was postponed last week because of an illness to Fa that will see him undergo surgey tomorrow.

Fa though expects to be back into full time training by early January although he won't reveal what the medical issue is.

Parker fight prep different but looking for same result

But New Zealand-Samoan boxer, Joseph Parker, is doing what needs to be done to prepare for his heavy-weight boxing showdown against Junior Fa next month.

The two New Zealand-based rivals have a long-standing history. They've had two wins each at amateur level, both hail from South Auckland, have Pasifika heritage, and are affiliated to the same church.

But their training camps couldn't look much different.

Fa is doing his preparation work in Mt Eden.

Parker is training on the opposite side of the biggest Polynesian city in the world, Auckland.

Fa has support of 'family' gym for big fight

 The hype machine is cranking up ahead of the former Commonwealth Games representative boxer's showdown with Joseph Parker next month.

Junior Fa trained in front of media this week with the pre-bout tension building.

The Mt Eden gym, City Kickboxing, oozes with talented people of all ages and ethnicities.

Fa, who holds the WBO Oriental Interim Heavyweight title, said people travelled from across the district to be part of "the big team and the big family".

Family at forefront for Kiwi-Pasifika boxers in 'Fight of the Century'

The Samoan and Tongan New Zealanders are all square at two wins a piece from their previous four meetings as amateurs, and they have plenty to fight for.

Junior Fa is all set for what's been billed as the 'Fight of the Century', but there's one person who will be missing from his corner - his dad and secondary trainer, Uaine Fa - who passed away due to cancer last year.

A Tongan-born amateur boxer in his youth and the biggest influence in Junior's career, Uaine Fa was the man resposible for his son's boxing career.