ALL WHYTE ON THE NIGHT
Dillian aims to outdo AJ
DILLIAN WHYTE believes he can go one step further than Anthony Joshua and knock out Joseph Parker.
The Brixton-based heavyweight takes on Kiwi Parker this weekend at the O2 in London.
Parker lost his WBO title to Joshua in March when he was outpointed by the British star but he never hit the deck in their drab Cardiff showdown.
The New Zealander has never been on the canvas in his 25 professional fights and claims never to have even touched down in sparring sessions.
Now Whyte, who was knocked out by Joshua in 2015, has vowed to put Parker down if it becomes a brawl at the sold-out O2.
He said: “It’s a good fight, he’s never been down, he’s only lost once against AJ, but I can knock anyone out.
“If he comes to run then it might be hard, but if he comes to fight he goes to sleep.
“He may look to just go 12 rounds again and play it safe, we’ll see.
“I have the skills and capability to do what AJ couldn’t and to KO him.” Both Whyte and Parker are hoping a win on Saturday could put them in contention for a rematch with Joshua next year.
The WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion faces Alexander Povetkin next at Wembley on September 22.
His team are also in talks to face WBC title holder Deontay Wilder at the national stadium on April 13. But no deal has been struck yet – which could open the door for Saturday’s winner to stake a claim to fill that date.
Whyte added: “He’s well motivated, he knows that beating me gets him close to another shot at AJ – so that’s what makes him dangerous.
“I’m hungry and when I fight I want to hurt these men. I want guys to go home after losing to me and still be thinking about me in September after I’ve beat them up in July.
“I’ve seen everything that Joseph Parker is going to bring to the fight.
‘‘Now I will take everything he’s got and strategically break him down and chop him to bits.”