Unification Bout: Parker Labels Joshua Disrespectful

Joseph Parker has told Anthony Joshua to be "more respectful" as their world heavyweight title unification fight looms.

Joshua was accused of snubbing the New Zealand and Samoa based media earlier this week, sparking criticism from Parker on Friday.

"It's his decision but it's disrespectful," Parker said. "They've travelled a long way to see Joshua, and they respect him.

"We were friendly to British media and invited them to our home. He should be more respectful."

Unbeaten champions Joshua and Parker will unify their WBA, IBF and WBO belts next weekend in Cardiff and tensions were heightened after the travelling champion's feisty press conference on Friday.

"If he trusted in his body, he wouldn't be trying to change who he is," said Parker, about Joshua's plans to weigh-in lighter.

"He's trying to be faster and leaner - I don't know if he is trying to be him or me? We will be lighter. Faster, stronger, better movement."

Parker was unmoved by suggestions Joshua has sought consultation from Wladimir Klitschko, who the IBF and WBA 'super' champion brilliantly beat last year at Wembley.

"They can do whatever they want - it won't change a thing. He's probably trying to get advice from Klitschko," Parker said.

"We have Joshua vs Klitschko playing in the gym every day. There are things we saw that we can do better. We can catch AJ.

"The public are judging us on our last two or three fights and they see Joshua as a fighter who is [unbeatable]. There is the element of surprise. Everyone thinks this is an easy win for him, but that's motivation for us. I want to get in there and bash him.

"They are looking past our team. If they are in discussions to fight Deontay Wilder, so be it. But he has to be careful because someone's in their way."

Parker believes he has rediscovered his jab, a punch that has been hindered in the past two years due to elbow injuries that were solved in December through surgery.

"In the past five or six fights I haven't shown the jab that I showed early in my career," he said. "The jab is key to set up our attack phases, and I have it back now. There will be a lot of jabs.

"We tried to schedule surgery many times but opportunities came up, so we pushed it back. The last two years we've been fighting less than 100 per cent. Since the surgery, there have been benefits. This has been the best camp we've had in a long time and that's why we're confident."