Haka on hold until after title fight
‘ I’m excited by fighting in front of a huge stadium crowd.’
JOSEPH Parker wants to honour his heritage, but is ruling out a pre-fight haka before his showdown with Anthony Joshua.
The pair will fight in a world heavyweight unification title bout for their WBA, IBF and WBObelts in Cardiff on March 31 (April 1 NZT).
At a media conference yesterday, Parker confirmed there will be no haka in the ring before he attempts to upset Joshua in front of 80,000 fans at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
‘‘No, no haka but I am here to honour my heritage, my family, my team and myself by upsetting Anthony,’’ Parker said.
Parker (24-0) and Joshua (20-0) are both unbeaten, but the British heavyweight is a strong favourite.
Parker, who was happy to do plenty of talking at the conference, was hopeful England’s capitulation on the opening evening of the day-night test against the Black Caps at Eden Park will be a positive omen for when he takes on the big Brit.
‘‘This looks like our time,’’ Parker said as the topic of England being knocked over for just 58 surfaced.
Looking relaxed, Parker spoke of how he has been visualising a brutal ending to Joshua’s unbeaten run.
‘‘In my mind, I’ve played through the scenario of knocking him out. I’m excited by fighting in front of a huge stadium crowd for the first time.
‘‘And when I think about drop- PHOTOSPORT ping him to the canvas I can hear the cheers roaring out from all the New Zealanders and Samoans who will be in Cardiff,’’ Parker told the Daily Mail.