Parker’s ‘king of steroids’ taunt is same old trash talk: Joshua

ANTHONY Joshua has denied Joseph Parker’s claims that he takes steroids ahead of their heavyweight unification fight on March 31.

The unbeaten rivals clash at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium when Joshua’s IBF and WBA belts will be at stake against the WBO crown held by Parker.

Parker called his opponent the “king of steroids”, adding “if you are that big and that muscly, there’s something wrong” and “there are a lot of ways you can dodge drug testing”.

The claim, which has since been withdrawn by Parker and his promoter David Higgins, was rejected by Joshua at the London Press conference staged yesterday to announce the fight.

“I’ve heard so much in boxing trash talk that nothing’s new any more. It’s a fairly serious charge to make. Can I sue Parker? No, I’m joking,” Joshua said.

“I know my records are clean. Every time I’m tested, and I know what I’ve paid to be voluntarily tested. That’s why I don’t bite at what he says.

“If I’m not clean, you’ll find out during this fight. If I haven’t been clean for all my other fights, you’ll see me struggle against Parker because anything I have been taking will be out of my system.”

When the issue of Tyson Fury’s back-dated ban for drug-taking was raised, Joshua stressed that the implications of using steroids in boxing extend beyond the ethical.

The British rivals are on a collision course if Fury is granted a boxing license and makes a successful comeback having served the retrospective suspension issued by UK Anti-Doping and dispelled more than two years of inactivity.

“If it was me I’d get a lot more stick. Fury’s lucky. It’s not good because in this sport your life is on the line,” Joshua said.

“Anything to do with that type of stuff you have to be careful. People’s lives are on the line.

“This is physical and there’s real damage.” Unification: Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker face off