Parker reckons he has the speed to beat Joyce up
WELLINGTON: Parker reckons he has made big strides in his third preparation camp under the eye of trainer Andy Lee in the leadup to Sunday’s clash.
He feels sharper than he did before his successive wins over Briton Derek Chisora last year and predicts unbeaten Londoner Joe Joyce will struggle to match his ring craft.
‘‘The first camp, it was an introduction camp with Andy Lee, learning a different style and trying new things,’’ Parker said.
‘‘The second camp was a better camp. We added to that and we saw the improvements with the second Chisora fight.
‘‘This camp, there’s a lot more that he’s added to my weapons and when I go into this fight, I know we can take care of business and beat this guy up.
‘‘I think I’m going to be too fast, I’m going to be too quick,
I’m going to have better movement than he does.’’
Parker (30) has prepared for the fight in the seaside town of Morecombe, home to retired heavyweight great and friend Tyson Fury.
His only interruption came on Monday when a planned training session was delayed in the evening to honour the funeral that day of Queen Elizabeth.
‘‘You know, when you surround yourself with champions, you’ve got a champion mindset yourself,’’ Parker said.
‘‘I’ve always been strongminded but when you have Andy Lee and Tyson around and the whole team, I just keep building on that and I’ve done everything right.
‘‘There’s no doubts because I’ve done the work. So when the fight comes, this lump is going to get a lump on his head.’’
Former Commonwealth Games champion Joyce (37) enjoyed a fruitful amateur career and has finished 13 of his 14 professional fights inside the distance.
Parker has respect for an opponent who will boast a considerable height and weight advantage.
‘‘I’ve made this the best camp because of the challenge that’s in front of me.
‘‘Of course he’s got this jab and he comes forward and got a good engine but I’m prepared for that and I’ve brought some great sparring partners to prepare for what he brings.’’
The winner at Manchester Arena will hold the interim title and theoretically have the first right to challenge Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk for the full WBO belt.
However, clouding that prospect is a rematch clause agreed to if Joyce loses.
Also, an injured Usyk is out of action until February and there are reports he will lure Fury out of retirement for a highprofile fight next year. — RNZ