No pain, plenty of gain for Parker
Joseph Parker has warned Anthony Joshua he is operating at full strength again and ready to show his trademark speed and power in his biggest assignment.
Team Parker confirmed the heavyweight had separate operations to both elbows in late November and early December to rectify problems that have plagued the boxer since early 2016.
The operations were carried out during negotiations to nail down the world heavyweight title unification fight with Joshua in Cardiff on April 1.
Parker, speaking for the first time about the surgery, said he was relieved to come through his rehab so quickly and so successfully.
‘‘I haven’t felt like this for a long time and I’m ready to show it in the ring against Anthony Joshua,’’ he told Stuff.
The operations removed bone chips in both elbows that prevented him from straightening his arms properly and reduced his power.
‘‘The arms haven’t been able to do what they are meant to do for a long time,’’ Parker admitted.
‘‘The elbows have been a big part in the last five or six fights where I haven’t put on the best performances like earlier in my career with the speed and movement.
‘‘There was a lot of pain trying to throw combinations. So it was very important to get it done.
‘‘We have been dealing with it every time, just nursing injuries through training camps and trusting the process. But we knew we had to get it done because it was affecting my ability too much and what we were trying to achieve.
‘‘I think if we didn’t get it done, we shouldn’t actually be in this fight with Anthony Joshua. But since I have got it done, I’m feeling great. I think it was the perfect time to get it done.’’
Parker said the instant benefits have been apparent in his two-month training camp in Las Vegas and his first week in London. He now wants to show that against Joshua.
‘‘It’s the reason why I’m been able to train even harder and push things and lose weight ... because I’m injury-free. There’s nothing restricting me from putting in the hard work,’’ Parker said.
Parker’s trainer Kevin Barry revealed they had twice delayed surgery because of juicy opportunities – first the IBF eliminator against Carlos Takam to become mandatory challenger, then the unexpected chance to go for the vacant WBO world title against Andy Ruiz.
Having got through those tests successfully, but making hard work of his two defences of the WBO title against Razvan Cojanu and Hughie Fury, it became apparent that the surgery couldn’t be avoided if Parker was going to push on and try to unify the heavyweight division against fighters like Joshua and Deontay Wilder.
Barry said the improvements had quickly become evident in training.
‘‘We haven’t had to stop sparring sessions short to manage the pain. Joe is pain-free now,’’ Barry said.
‘‘People have asked me why was Joe leading with left hooks against Hughie Fury, where were the double and triple jabs he is famous for? Well, I think everyone knows the answer to that now.
‘‘We are looking for a much improved performance [against Joshua].’’
"I haven't felt like this for a long time and I'm ready to show it in the ring."
Joseph Parker