Parker puts his legacy on the line

Much has been made of the future prospects at stake for Joseph Parker and Junior Fa when the South Auckland duo let their fists fly at Spark Arena.

But for Parker, at least, what of the past?

The former WBO champion’s history-making accomplishment of being the first New Zealander to win a major heavyweight title will always have him on the top table of the country’s greatest boxers. No-one can take that away from him.

But exactly where he sits becomes a lot more complicated if he fails to get past his old amateur rival tonight.

With his legacy in mind, Parker needs no reminding of this. That’s why, despite having fought on stages that are much, much bigger than what he will encounter against Fa, he considers this fight as the most important of his career.

‘‘I feel like this is bigger,’’ Parker told Stuff. ‘‘Going over to Anthony Joshua and fighting him, people were like, ‘don’t worry Joshua’s going to knock him out or he’s going to lose’. Then with Dillian Whyte a lot of people questioned that fight whereas with this one, it’s way close to home.

‘‘We have history as amateurs but also, he thinks he’s the best, I think I’m the best, now it’s time to see who the best is. Whoever wins can say they are the best in New Zealand.’’

While Parker is fighting to protect his legacy, Fa’s could just be getting started. After taking a three-year break following an amateur career that included a Commonwealth Games bronze medal for Tonga, it would be fair to say that Parker’s success in the pros played some part in luring Fa back to his ‘‘first love’’. He’s followed a similar path. Making his pro debut in 2016, the 31-year-old and his team has carefully crafted an unbeaten 19-0 record that has him ranked No 5 in the WBO, just two places behind Parker.

Rankings can be deceiving, though, and Parker is a huge step up from anyone he has faced before.

Fa enters the bout at a similar stage in his career that Parker did against tough-as-teak Frenchman, and former title contender, Carlos Takam in 2016.

That gritty points victory paved the way for Parker to ultimately claim the WBO crown and Fa knows that if he truly wants to announce himself to the heavyweight division, this is the time to do it.

‘‘I don’t take this position I’m in lightly,’’ Fa said. ‘‘I have everything to gain in this fight so I’m taking it with both hands and making sure I give myself the best chance.’’

It’s Fa’s inexperience against high-calibre opposition that has many leaning heavily towards Parker.

But Fa is relaxed about people underestimating his ability, confident that the recognition will come soon enough.

‘‘They underestimate me because they don’t know me’’ he said. ‘‘They haven’t seen enough but that’s fine. That puts me in a good space, that puts all the pressure on him.’’