The fight of his LIFE
‘I’m going to make you all proud’
Are you ready to rumble?
Boxing-mad Kiwis will be up early at home or their holiday destinations tomorrow to watch local boy Joseph Parker take on Anthony Joshua in the biggest fight of his career - the unification bout for the world heavyweight title.
The undercard is from 5am and the main event is not before 8.30am. The fight, which will be blogged at nzherald.co.nz, is a massive payday for Parker who will pocket millions even if he loses.
Many Kiwis are away from home for the long weekend but most should still be able to catch the fight at pubs or sports clubs, which are opening early for the big occasion. Bars wanting to screen the fight have had to get special licences for Easter Sunday.
Whangamata Club is screening the boxing match live on Easter Sunday for its members, and manager Mike Williams is expecting a large turnout for the biggest Kiwi shot at a world boxing title since David Tua unsuccessfully challenged Lennox Lewis in Las Vegas in 2000.
“We’ve had a number of inquiries about showing the fight, as there’s quite a lot of people down here with holiday homes that don’t have Sky,” he said.
Williams said people often headed to Whangamata for Easter and wouldn’t be surprised if they took time out of their morning to watch the fight. “There’s national interest and it’s on a world stage.”
He said he wasn’t expecting boxing watchers to buy beer or alcohol that early in the morning, but coffee and bacon and eggs would be on offer.
Russell’s Duke of Marlborough Tavern duty manager Amy Gowland also expected a big crowd.
Tickets at $35 to watch the fight are being sold at the door and include a coffee and a full breakfast.
Ohope Chartered Club manager Trevor Hart estimated about 100 people could turn up to watch on Sunday morning.
He’s had to pre-sell the $25 tickets to make it controllable. “I hope it goes more than one round.”
Hart said an Easter egg hunt for kids would follow in the afternoon.
In Auckland, several bars are showing the fight including the Bays Club on Anzac Rd, Browns Bay, the Grey Lynn RSC on Francis St and the Otahuhu Club on Great South Rd.
For all my family, friends and fans in my favourite two countries, New Zealand and Samoa: From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of my team (because I’m not only talking for myself ), thank you for all the messages we’ve received the past few weeks.
We see these messages every day on Facebook and elsewhere, we see what our people have done — cheering for me, cheering for Team Parker — and I would just ask you to tune in tomorrow morning, if you can, or get around to a friend’s house and watch.
Why? I just feel good and I think I’m going to put on the best performance of my career and make everyone proud. It’s not only about us — me and my team — it’s about you, too. We’re carrying two flags and we’re going to represent two countries with pride.
I’m excited by the challenge of fighting here in front of his people, in his backyard. It’s a big challenge but I’ve prepared well. I’ve given everything in camp and that’s why I have confidence in my ability. If you worry too much about the result, it diverts your mind somewhere else. I’m definitely not worried about the result, and neither should you be.
Joseph Parker, WBO world heavyweight champion