Joshua, Parker shed pounds ahead of title fight

Anthony Joshua and

Joseph Parker have shed the pounds for their world heavyweight unification title fight on Saturday in Cardiff, Wales.

At a weigh-in on Friday where both fighters showed respect for each other, WBA and IBF titleholder Joshua tipped the scales at 242 pounds — 12 pounds lighter than for his most recent fight against Carlos Takam October.

Parker, the WBO champion, weighed 236 pounds, nine pounds lighter than his last fight against Hughie Fury in September.

Parker looked like he meant business, whereas Joshua was all smiles as he high-fived some fans on his walk to the stage.

Around 78,000 fans are in expected at the nearby Principality Stadium for the fight between two unbeaten world champions.

Source: Temple to replace Dunphy with McKie in 2019

Temple’s Fran Dunphy is set to coach one more season and then step aside for assistant and former Philadelphia 76ers star Aaron McKie to succeed him in 2019, a person familiar with the succession plan said Friday.

Dunphy took over for retired Hall of Fame coach John Chaney in 2006 and has led the Owls to seven NCAA Tournaments. The Owls were bounced in the first round of the NIT this year.

McKie starred at Temple under Chaney and played 13 seasons in the NBA.

He was the NBA sixth man of the year in 2000-01 when he helped lead the Sixers to the NBA Finals. He spent six seasons as an assistant coach with the 76ers and has been on Dunphy’s staff since 2014.

Jets sign Rawls, Hewitt

The New York Jets have signed running back Thomas Rawls and linebacker Neville Hewitt.

In need of help at running back after starter Matt Forte retired, New York turned to Rawls, who spent three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, starting 17 games.

Hewitt went undrafted in 2015 but spent the past three seasons with the Dolphins either on the active roster or practice squad.

•The Minnesota Vikings have signed wide receiver Kendall Wright, who led the Chicago Bears in receptions and yards last season.

The Vikings announced the addition Friday, putting the former Baylor standout in the mix behind standouts Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.

•Defensive back Jaylen Watkins has left the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles for a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Watkins, the older halfbrother of Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins, appeared in 36 games in four seasons for the Eagles, playing extensively on special teams.