No pain and all gain for Parker

Joseph Parker has warned Anthony Joshua that he is now operating at full strength again and ready to show his trademark speed and power in his biggest assignment.

Team Parker confirmed the heavyweight had separate operations to both elbows in late November and early December to rectify problems that have plagued the boxer since early 2016.

The operations were carried out while negotiations were being done to nail down the world heavyweight title unification fight with Joshua which happens in Cardiff on April 1.

Parker, speaking for the first time about the surgery, said he was relieved to come through his rehab so quickly and so successfully.

‘‘I haven’t felt like this for a long time and I’m ready to show it in the ring against Anthony Joshua,’’ Parker told Stuff.

The operations removed bone chips in both elbows that were preventing him from straightening his arms properly and reducing the power of his punches.

‘‘The arms haven’t been able to do what they are meant to do for a long time,’’ Parker admitted.

‘‘The elbows have been a big part in the last five or six fights where I haven’t put on the best performances like earlier in my career with the speed and movement.

‘‘There was a lot of pain trying to throw combinations. So it was very important to get it done.

‘‘We have been dealing with it every time, just nursing injuries through training camps and trusting the process. But we knew we had to get it done because it was affecting my ability too much and what we were trying to achieve.

‘‘If we didn’t get it done, we shouldn’t be in this fight with Anthony Joshua. But since I have got it done, I’m feeling great. It was the perfect time to get it done.’’

Parker said the instant benefits have been apparent in his two-month training camp in Las Vegas and his first week in London where he is doing tapering work.

He now wants to show that against Joshua.

‘‘It’s the reason why I’m been able to train even harder and push things and lose weight ... because I’m injury-free. There’s nothing restricting me from putting in the hard work,’’ Parker said.

Parker’s trainer Kevin Barry revealed they had twice delayed the surgery because of the juicy opportunities they were presented with – firstly the IBF eliminator against Carlos Takam to become the mandatory challenger and then the unexpected chance to go for the vacant WBO world title against Andy Ruiz.