Joseph Parker insists fans will see a more well-rounded fighter when he faces Joe Joyce on Saturday at AO Arena in Manchester, England.
The former heavyweight titleholder worked with trainer Andy Lee for his past two fights, a split decision over Derek Chisora and then a unanimous decision in the rematch last year. He believes he’s better than ever.
The latter fight with Chisora took place in December, meaning he will have been out of the ring for nine months.
“There are multiple weapons in my armor now,” Parker told Stuff.co.nz. “Before I would say I was a boxer who boxed and moved, was defensive and passive, and didn’t really push the action.
“Now I want to push the action. I’ll be right there, standing toe to toe, going at it.”
Don’t get the wrong idea. The 30-year-old from New Zealand isn’t going to stand toe to toe the entire fight against a bigger man known for his aggression and knockout power. That wouldn’t be smart.
Parker (30-2, 21 KOs) plans to use his skills and superior athleticism while picking his spots to attack. The idea is to frustrate the less experienced Joyce (14-0, 13 KOs) and wear down the Londoner, who is 37.
If the Kiwi is successful, he’ll be the mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO belt, although a rematch clause could result in a second fight with Joyce regardless of who wins.
“He’s going to get frustrated because he can’t catch me,” Parker said. “I’m going to be too good for him, I’m going to move too fast for him and have too much speed. I’m going to pick him apart, and when Andy tells me the time is right, I’m going to get him out of there if I can.
“He’s very tough and strong, but if he keeps taking these punches, eventually he is going to fall.”
That said, this could be Parker’s most difficult fight since he lost a unanimous decision to Dillian Whyte in July 2018, which followed his title-losing decision against Anthony Joshua.
That fact inspires him.
“I love the challenge,” he said, “that’s what I live for.”
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