Hughie Fury determined to put on a show for Manchester in September

By PA Sport

Image: Hughie Fury will fight for the world title on September 23

Hughie Fury is scheduled to be one of the first headline acts at the Manchester Arena when it reopens following May's terror attack and he wants to deliver a world heavyweight championship title for the city.

Fury faces New Zealander Joseph Parker on September 23 for the WBO belt at a venue which has remained closed since the suicide bombing which killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande concert on May 22.

The arena is not planning to stage events again until early September and John Legend's concert on the 16th of that month is the only act on the calendar before Fury and Parker's fight seven days later.

For Manchester-born Fury, returning to the ring at that venue in his city will be a poignant occasion.

"It was absolutely devastating when I heard it on the news," the 22-year-old said.

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Image: There were 22 fatalities after a suicide bomber set off a device at an Ariana Grande concert in May

"My mum came into my room and she started crying. My little sister is only 14 and she normally goes to all these concerts and we were so lucky she never went to that one.

"We were thinking if that was my little sister we wouldn't know what to do. It was so devastating to see. There are no words for what those people are going through.

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"It was tragic what happened. It was a devastating thing and my heart goes out to all the families out there.

"I'm going to put a show on for the fans and for Manchester and I'm going to dedicate this fight to Manchester. Believe me, I will be winning it."

Image: Joseph Parker has given up 'home advantage' to take on challenger Fury

This will be Fury's 21st professional bout, his first in well over a year due to illness and injury, and his maiden shot at a world championship belt against a fellow undefeated boxer.

The bout had originally been scheduled to take place in Parker's homeland in May only for injury to rule Fury out.

Staging it in the challenger's backyard may now be more favourable to him but Parker, 25, was determined to enhance his reputation in a country Anthony Joshua has helped make the epicentre of the heavyweight division.

"There are exciting fights happening here," Parker said.

"Our team felt like we wanted to be a part of it. It was very important for us to come and fight here and hopefully put on a great performance so we can show the world what we're made of."

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