Joshua wary of ‘triple threat’

Anthony Joshua has described Joseph Parker as ‘‘a triple threat’’ and predicted there will be blood in their world heavyweight title unification fight.

Joshua did a media session at his Sheffield training base yesterday and left no doubt about his seriousness about a fight which puts his IBF and WBA titles on the line and where Parker will risk his WBO belt at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on April 1 (NZT).

Quizzed over the constant chatter about a bigger fight against America’s WBC champion Deontay Wilder, Joshua hit back: ‘‘People are talking about Wilder. I’m not. That’s not my focus.

‘‘People should never overlook Joseph Parker – he’s a world champion, undefeated, and he has that Kiwi blood. That’s a triple threat.

‘‘Parker – just know I’m not overlooking you, I’m taking this deadly serious, and I’m focused on the task ahead. I’m a serious competitor.’’

‘‘Parker is a phenomenal champion – tough, he has his [Samoan] heritage and he wants to prove he’s a worthy champion. That’s where my goal is and that’s where I’m focused on ... I can’t take my eye off this guy. He’s talented and he wants to prove himself.

‘‘Anyone I fight, they always come 30 per cent better than what I’ve seen so I can’t expect the same old Parker in the ring.’’

The 28-year-old, who has knocked out all 20 of his opponents as a professional, predicted a brutal battle.

‘‘I can’t tell you exactly how the fight is going to go but we’re big, strong and the punches do hurt after a while. I definitely know there will be blood and you can definitely hear the leather cracking on the people’s heads if you’re close enough,’’ he said.

‘‘Hopefully, I’m not saying it will, but let’s say Parker is [Evander] Holyfield and I’m [Riddick] Bowe, the taller, rangier fighter. When they fought, they had speed, combinations on the inside, so hopefully we can fulfil what the greats did before us.’’

Joshua, looking trim, refused to engage over speculation about his