Joseph Parker

Trainer Kevin Barry labelled Joseph Parker's UK debut "a pretty damn good win" and a result that will help set up the Kiwi heavyweight's future.

Parker retained his WBO world heavyweight title with a majority points decision over Hughie Fury in the Manchester Arena on Sunday.

While the Fury camp reacted angrily at the outcome, Barry had no doubts about the result and had plenty of praise for his 25-year-old fighter who got was scored 114-114, 118-110, 118-110 by a panel of American and British judges.

Parker's majority decision over Hughie Fury in Manchester on Sunday sparked an angry reaction from the Fury camp with Hughie Fury's manager, Mick Hennessy, claiming he intended to appeal, alleging the decision was "corruption at the highest level in boxing".

The Daily Express newspaper reported Tyson Fury jumped over the ropes expecting the decision - and the WBO heavyweight title - to go to his cousin.

Parker has scored a majority points decision over Briton Hughie Fury in their 12 round title fight in Manchester.

Two judges had Parker winning 118-110, while the third had it 114-all.

All of the rounds were even with Parker unable to land the knockout blow while Fury spent the fight on the back foot to keep out of trouble.

He did however stay in contention with his job.

The judges would have favoured Parker's aggression, while Fury spent most of his time in defence.

Speaking after he lost his cool and shoved Parker at the weigh-in for Saturday's (Sunday NZ time) showdown in Manchester, Fury put the exchange down to "a bit of adrenaline kicking in".

With Parker repeatedly calling him "little boy" during the traditional stare down, in reference to the 10kg in weight Fury is giving away, and urged on by local supporters, the Englishman eventually cracked and got physical.

Joseph Parker and Hughie Fury tussle at the weigh-in ahead of their heavyweight title fight.

Fury started with the lip stuff but Parker gave back better than he got and Fury finally snapped, shoving the Kiwi back. The champion just smiled as chaos broke out around him. Fury's handlers pounced on two of Parker's team as they moved in to make sure their man was safe.

Parker had every right to label Fury "little" as he takes a 10kg weight advantage into the title fight at the Manchester Arena on Saturday (Sunday NZ Time). Parker, looking solid, weighed in at 112kg with Fury, lacking the muscle definition to match the champion, was only 102kg.

The cheers will quickly turn to jeers but Joseph Parker will thrive on the hostilities in the Manchester Arena when he fights local hero Hughie Fury.

That's the firm belief of Parker's trainer Kevin Barry as the Kiwi heavyweight's UK debut in his WBO world title defence looms ever closer.

Parker arrived in Manchester from London on Thursday (NZT) and was given a surprisingly warm welcome as he went through a public workout in a ring set up in a busy downtown restaurant zone.

But walking into the ring on fight night will be another matter.

The original appointment had been a hot issue with Parker promoter David Higgins given O'Connor had controlled opponent Hughie Fury's last two fights and also had history with Fury's cousin Tyson, the former world heavyweight champion.

Peter Fury masterminded his nephew Tyson Fury's stunning win over Klitschko in December 2015, a result that blew the division open after 11 years of dominance by the giant Ukrainian.

Now Peter Fury is hoping his son Hughie will beat WBO champion Parker in Manchester on Sunday (NZT) and return the belt to the family.

Peter Fury might have been rudely dismissive of Parker's promoter David Higgins in an expletive riddled send-off as they argued over the British referee controlling this fight, but he had nothing but praise for the 25-year-old New Zealand boxer.

WBO heavyweight champion Parker and challenger Fury both vowed to win by knockout before facing off at today's media conference.

The conference then heated up when Parker's promoter David Higgins got into a shouting match with Hughie's father and manager Peter Fury over the selection of the referee for the fight.

Earlier this month the British Boxing Board of Control named British referee Terry O'Connor, the same official in charge of Hughie Fury's last two bouts to control the fight.

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."

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.