Parker embracing the global spotlight
Joseph Parker won’t allow the intense global media glare to distract him from his preparations for his world heavyweight title unification fight with Anthony Joshua.
Parker, the WBO champion, fights IBF and WBA champion Joshua in Cardiff on April 1 (NZT).
Parker’s profile has increased rapidly since the fight was finally confirmed in January.
Respected for his genuine title belt and unbeaten record over 24 fights, the boxing media are now desperate to know more about the 26-year-old Kiwi. He is under the spotlight like never before.
Parker is facing daily media requests and receiving plenty of coverage in mainstream news media and specialist boxing sites as he buries himself in training at his Las Vegas camp where he is now into his fourth week of sparring.
Sky News from the UK, the host broadcaster, spent the better part of a week with Parker recently. The BBC have booked in a lengthy spell and Britain’s leading boxing writers are expected to cross the Atlantic to witness his preparations.
American interest has spiked and there are daily phone calls for Parker and his trainer Kevin Barry who is being careful not to overload his fighter.
‘‘We’re not allowing it to impact on Joe and the camp,’’ Barry told Stuff from Las Vegas.
‘‘We knew this would be intense and I said from the start, if Joe ever felt he was missing out on rest and recovery time or there was something that was stressful for him, I would pull it right back.
‘‘We have had reporters or some form of media with us most days. So they are very full days with the training but Joe is comfortable with it.’’
Parker has an ability to focus and then switch off, giving him the relaxed attitude and an even temperament that many see as one of the key components to his rapid rise through the heavyweight ranks.
‘‘Nothing much rattles him out of the ring and no one has managed to get the better of him inside the ropes either.
‘‘But he is under intense scrutiny now.
‘‘Joe is working hard on making sure he’s the best fighter he can be, he’s not trying to be the best student at answering media questions in front of a camera,’’ Barry said, putting the priorities in order.
‘‘It’s part of the job, he has embraced it and developed his media skills in the last five years where it is not so mentally draining on him as it once was.’’