Different words, same confidence

One clean hit. Joseph Parker reckons that’s all it will take to dispose of Anthony Joshua.

The pair of unbeaten heavyweights clash in Cardiff on Sunday (NZT) and both were talking themselves up when they faced off at the final press conference.

Joshua is adamant that Parker will end up the same way all 20 of his professional opponents have – on the canvas. He even confidently advised the betting public to go down that route.

‘‘I believe Anthony Joshua knocks Joseph Parker out for sure,’’ he boldly predicted.

Parker was more circumspect when quizzed during his time at the top table surrounded by the hardware on offer in this huge unification fight, saying: ‘‘I haven’t decided how yet but I am going to beat him – 100 per cent. These belts are mine.’’

But he continued to talk up his rediscovered power following double elbow surgery.

‘‘I know if I catch him clean he’s out of there,’’ the 26-year-old Parker said.

‘‘It’s my time. I’m young, sharp and am determined to win. I’m here to be part of history, doing it for my team, family and country.’’

Joshua’s handy height advantage

was plain to see when they lined up together.

Parker brushed that aside, saying: ‘‘The bigger they are the harder they fall. I like fighting bigger guys. In the past my better performances have come against bigger opponents.’’

Joshua suggested he was ready to produce a more technical performance than most of his heavyhanded wins.

His training camp had been directed that way as he arrived in Sheffield in good shape, allowing his coach Rob McCracken to work on his skills.

‘‘Every fight before this has been a learning fight, and every camp a learning camp,’’ Joshua said, believing he was finding a formula after only 10 years in boxing

as an amateur and professional.

‘‘I learned from the Klitschko fight that I shouldn’t use camp to get fit. I took everything I didn’t know then into this camp. I’ve been working solely on my technique and ability for this one.

‘‘Then I fought [Carlos] Takam, who was game ... he was a lot shorter, he was in great shape. I wanted to control him and win. I knew there would be a big 2018 on the horizon.

‘‘Every fight is a blessing, and every one will have reason in the long run.

‘‘Parker is a champ and has done well ... he will add something to my life journey. It’ll be over Sunday, and I will look back and learn from it and move forward.’’