Parker: I’m ahead in the mind games
Patrick McKendry
Joseph Parker believes he is winning the battle of the minds during an extended cold war stage of his world heavyweight unification title fight against Anthony Joshua before the physical hostilities break out in Cardiff.
In an interview with the Herald before today’s press conference with Joshua at Sky Television’s west London studios, Parker said he was enjoying himself despite the unrelenting glare of the spotlight as Sunday morning NZT gets ever closer.
“It’s a bit of banter,” Parker said. “It’s fun and games. I think their team are taking it more seriously than we are. We’re rolling with the punches — it doesn’t affect us. They’re taking it a bit more personally. It shows who’s winning.”
Parker will come face to face with Joshua today for the first time since January and his assured performance in a head-to-head interview with the Englishman.
Much has changed since. Parker, confident in his own abilities three months ago, has lost a significant amount of weight and is in good form mentally and physically after double elbow surgery at the end of last year.
He is flourishing here in London, a rapidly maturing 26-year-old who is comfortable as a champion and determined to stay that way.
“I back myself,” he said. “I haven’t got a care in the world. I just want to get in there and show who I am.”
Parker aims to make things difficult for Joshua. The New Zealander and his promoter David Higgins have warned the 28-year-old to arrive at the press conference, scheduled to start at midnight, on time or else they will start without him.
It is a simple but brilliant gambit; turn up on time and Joshua appears to be following the orders of Parker and Higgins, turn up late as usual and he is being “disrespectful” and must make an awkward entrance to his own press conference.
Parker said: “He has a track record of turning up late to press conferences and a few things, so I think we’ll put pressure on him to show up on time and be professional.”