Parker says no to Fury
He’s offered to step into the boxing ring with Joseph Parker, but Tyson Fury’s services won’t be required, the WBO heavyweight champion says.
Parker told Radio Live he won’t be taking up Fury’s offer to be a sparring partner in the buildup to his March 31 unification fight against Anthony Joshua in Cardiff.
Fury’s size (2.06m) and style aren’t what they’re looking for, and Parker said he was happy with the sparring partners they had assembled.
‘‘Tyson Fury’s a great guy, but with all due respect to him, I don’t think it’s the right person to spar because he moves around well for a big guy and he doesn’t come forward, and he’s a lot taller,’’ Parker said.
‘‘So I think Kev [trainer Kevin Barry] and our team have done some research and we found guys that we think that doesn’t have everything Joshua has, but each of them have bits that we can see or help us prepare for what he brings.
‘‘We want guys to come forward and we can just smash them, and for them to throw everything at us – the kitchen sink – and just try and knock us out. But with Fury, as the fighter he is, he’s a smart fighter who doesn’t stand there, who doesn’t absorb a lot of punches and likes to move.’’
Parker wanted some high intensity during sparring to prepare for Joshua in his bid to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
‘‘He’s dominated fighters that stand in front of him, that don’t move - all they do is protect themselves and I think a lot of fighters already go into the ring scared because of the power he possesses,’’ Parker said.
‘‘I want to fight a fight that’s going to be a fast-paced fight... movement, speed and just different angles – I think that’s how we are going to attack Joshua.’’