Parker gets sparring as Kiwi’s body gets ripped

Joseph Parker has entered the sparring phase of his preparation for the his fight against Anthony Joshua.

The New Zealander’s weight, according to trainer Kevin Barry, is coming off, and the 26-year-old’s fitness is returning as he begins a sixweek block of gym-work likely to define his build-up.

Four or five sparring partners have been selected for their power, size, and come-forward style, although Barry concedes the Adonis-like Joshua is a man apart at least as far as the first two attributes are concerned.

But Parker’s resolve is hardening along with his body as he gets ready for the March 31 heavyweight world title unification fight in Cardiff. It will be the first time he will enter a ring as the underdog and that provides its own spur.

“We’re all feeding off that underdog position,” Barry told the Herald from his Las Vegas home. “We take motivation from the doubters.

“This is what he needs. We’ve never had a fight where people have said ‘ you ain’t winning this fight, you’re getting knocked out, this guy is too big and too powerful’. This is the motivation that will bring out the best in Joe.”

The insults about Parker’s weight from Joshua on television recently haven’t harmed his motivation either.

The mental side of the equation is “beyond important”, Barry said.

Parker last year linked with Kiwi psychologist Ceri Evans, the man the All Blacks believe was crucial to winning the 2011 World Cup and who now works with the Arsenal football team,” said Barry. “We want to be strong in all aspects. We are putting ourselves in a position we’re we’ve never been before.

“I think Joshua and his team are thinking once we get out there in front of 86,000 people that Joseph Parker is going to fall apart because he’s never experienced that before.

“What they don’t realise is that the Joseph Parker I know, it wouldn’t matter if it was 80 people, 800, 8000 or 80,000.”

The pressure instead was on Joshua, Barry said.

“He’s the guy with the 20-0, 20 KO record. The pressure is on him to knock Joseph Parker out and this is the Joseph Parker that we’ve marketed and promoted as the guy who has never been off his feet in the amateurs, sparring or professionals.

“He’s also putting a lot of pressure on himself. He and his team are saying, ‘after this we’re fighting Tyson Fury, we’re fighting Deontay Wilder’ — they’re looking past Joe and we’re delighted by that attitude.”