The 26-year-old, who faces off against the undefeated Londoner at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday, says it is his “time” to take hot favourite Joshua’s WBA, IBF and IBO titles back to New Zealand. “Let’s make sure your right hand is in the right position to defend a left hook in case you get countered”. I am definitely prepared for a 12-round fight, which isn’t a problem.
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Anthony Joshua has said that his world heavyweight unification clash with New Zealander Joseph Parker in Cardiff on Saturday would be the biggest test his career.
We won’t know whether Parker is ready for a world-class opponent until he gets in the ring with Joshua, who will likely test him in ways he’s never been tested before.
“In boxing I want to be the unified champion of the world”, said Parker.
The Matchroom Boxing promoter has endured a publicly hard relationship with Parker’s team, led by David Higgins. “He’s got that in his locker, which has gotten him this far”.
“I am a champion”. We love challenges, we see this as a big challenge which is why I want to fight him.
Parker, meanwhile, who last beat Hughie Fury in New Zealand to retain his WBO strap, looked assured and beamed with his own air of confidence during Wednesday’s exchange. “I’ve not decided how I want to beat him yet, I’ll see how I feel on fight night”. I don’t know if it’s a knockout or points or a decision.
“If I become victorious then I can look at future plans, but I am looking at Saturday and not beyond that moment”.
The no-excuses line by Parker set the tone when he met the media for the first time since arriving in Britain from Las Vegas, where a nine-week training camp went so well that, he quipped, “I’m starting to see some abs come along”.
“My career was going really well until I realised my promoter was really interested in Chris Eubank, Herbie Hide and Steve Collins more than me”.
He’s always been praised for his good hand speed and solid footwork, continuing the recent trend of athletic heavyweights making noise near the top of the division.
There is no official ring walk time, but the two fighters are expected to be in the ring by around 10.30 p.m. (GMT). One of these fighters will remain undefeated and find themselves one step closer to becoming the “baddest man on the planet” and the first to ever claim all four Heavyweight championships simultaneously.
Joshua is 3/10 to win by stoppage and Parker is 8/1 to finish the Brit inside the distance.
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Parker’s focus is Anthony Joshua and Anthony Joshua only – everything else is background noise.
