AUCKLAND, 05 MARCH 2021 (STUFF NZ) – Joseph Parker has split with his trainer Kevin Barry, ending their eight-year partnership.
Parker defeated Junior Fa in Auckland last Saturday, but it was a less than spectacular performance from the former WBO heavyweight champion, with Parker failing to get the knockdown he predicted.
Barry has returned to his home in Las Vegas, while Parker will look for a new trainer, while wanting to spend more time in New Zealand.
“Without Kevin I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Parker said.
“Together we made it to the very top. Kevin was with me every step of the way, guiding my progress inside and outside of the ring. So it is with genuine sadness that I confirm our partnership has come to an end.
“But the time just feels right. It’s fitting that we closed this chapter of my career with a win in front of a great home crowd in Auckland, and with bigger things just on the horizon.
“I know Kevin will always be in my corner.”
Barry, a former Olympic silver medallist, said he and Parker felt the time was right for them both to move on.
“I’m hugely proud to have played a part in New Zealand and Samoa crowning their first heavyweight world champion,” Barry said.
“It has been an amazing journey with Joseph and Team Parker. But all journeys must come to an end, and the time is right for myself and Joseph to go in our own directions.
“I have been in New Zealand for five months now, away from my family and my other fighters. I have three guys fighting for world titles this year and have responsibilities with them and a few new guys.
“It’s not possible for me to stay in New Zealand any longer. For Joe, he has a wife and three young girls in New Zealand, and he wishes to spend more time here.
“I totally understand this and will always be in his corner and support him. We have always had a very close bond and I want nothing but the best for him. We have achieved so much together. It has been one heck of an amazing journey.”
Parker’s manager David Higgins confirmed the split was by mutual agreement.
“With Kevin based in Las Vegas and Joseph keen to spend more time in New Zealand – and not to mention the restrictions on travel created by Covid-19 – this was a natural time for one of New Zealand’s most successful sporting partnerships to come to a close,” Higgins said.
“I’d personally like to pay tribute to Kevin. He worked tirelessly to make sure Joseph capitalised on his natural talent, and the results have been there for all to see. Kevin’s place in history as New Zealand’s finest boxing trainer is well and truly secure.”
There has been no announcement on who Parker’s next trainer will be.
But Fa’s coach Eugene Bareman stoked the fires in a press conference ahead of the fight between the two boxers by revealing that Parker had got in touch with him about joining his City Kickboxing set up.
While this was laughed off by Barry and Parker, it did further indicate a strained relationship between the two.
Parker doesn’t have much time to sort out a new trainer as he could be taking on Derek Chisora in May in London.
David Higgins, Parker’s manager has said that a date for the fight must be finalised by the end of the week.
