I will prove Parker’s trainer lied to him, vows Joshua
Anthony Joshua claims he will use a sniper’s approach break the spirit and mentality of Joseph Parker.
In an interview with The Sun ,a fired-up Joshua spoke of his determination to prove the Kiwis wrong for questioning him and hinted at some new tactics for their heavyweight boxing world title showdown in Cardiff this weekend.
In an often bitter buildup Parker’s handlers, most notably promoter David Higgins and trainer Kevin Barry, have questioned Joshua’s chin and stamina and also suggested Parker had the better skills to cope with this situation.
‘‘I just want him to realise, when he goes back to his corner after round one, that his trainer lied to him,’’ Joshua told The Sun.
‘‘I’ll match him for speed. I’ll match him for combination punches and footwork.’’
WBA and IBF champion Joshua takes on WBO champion Parker in a world heavyweight unification fight in Cardiff on Sunday (NZT).
He believed he could counter everything that Parker’s bosses were drilling into the 26-year-old Kiwi about the big Brit’s supposed weaknesses.
‘‘When they tell you ‘You can hit him with a left hook’ and it isn’t happening, ’you can hit him with a right hand’ and it isn’t happening.
‘‘They’ll say ‘He’s going to gas in round six or round seven, he has stamina problems’ and I’m still there.
‘‘ ’He can’t take a punch’ and I’m still there.
‘‘He’ll soon realise he’s in with a real one.
‘‘One hundred per cent I will break his spirit and mentality.’’
Clearly the Kiwis have stirred the beast though it could be a different version that turns up in Cardiff.
Noted for his bludgeoning ways – he eventually out-thumped Wladimir ‘‘Dr Steelhammer’’ Klitschko last year – the muscular Joshua suggested he would take a more subtle approach to finishing off Parker early if he gets the opportunity.
‘‘If I get Parker hurt, will I go in and execute? That’s where you have to be a bit clever,’’ Joshua told The Sun.
‘‘When you get them hurt you’re like ‘bang’. But if you need to, do what you did to get them hurt in the first place.
‘‘It’s learning how to go in with more of an assassin style, rather than a brave warrior riding through on a horse, slinging a weapon and killing everyone because those guys get chopped up as well.
‘‘I’m trying to be a sniper, be a bit more calculating now.
‘‘Even Mike Tyson went a few rounds now and again, even though he was a devastating puncher.’’
This is a fight that Joshua wants to get out of the way. The personal nature of it seems to be irritating him.
‘‘I don’t even like talking about him,’’ Joshua said.
‘‘Is it my destiny to fight him? No, it’s his destiny to fight me.’’