Video reviews help Pettaway’s prep

American boxer does his research on Kiwi opponent Joseph Parker, writes Ben Strang.

If you got a look at Jason Pettaway’s computer search history, there would be a lot of YouTube and plenty of Joseph Parker on the list.

American heavyweight Pettaway has immersed himself in videos of Parker’s previous bouts in preparation for their fight in Auckland on Thursday night.

The hope was to find a plan of attack against the increasingly impressive Kiwi but there was little weakness revealed in all that tape.

‘‘I actually started studying his YouTube and everything before this fight actually happened,’’ Pettaway said during a visit to Hamilton Boys’ High School yesterday.

‘‘I’ve looked at a few of his tapes, watched and done my homework.

‘‘I haven’t really seen a lot of weaknesses and I haven’t seen him really get hit yet, so I’m looking forward to seeing how he reacts when he does get hit. I definitely want to fight my game plan I have prepared for and not really worry about trying to land a big shot.

‘‘I know he’s training hard, he’s in good shape and he’s ready to fight, so I’m just looking forward to the fight and hoping every round is a war.’’

Of all the Parker videos Pettaway has been watching, one of the least useful was Parker’s most recent fight against Brazilian Irineu Beato Costa Junior.

Pettaway was critical of the big Brazilian in the fourth round knockout, and said not to expect a similar performance on Thursday.

‘‘My thoughts on that was, the guy just kind of stood right there in front of him and really didn’t punch back,’’ Pettaway said.

‘‘He didn’t try to counter whenever he did punch, so I really don’t have much to go by off of that fight.’’

Pettaway told a packed college hall at Hamilton Boys’ High School that his speed, jab and counter punching were his strengths, and he hoped to use those against Parker.

He said it would be exciting to see how his speed stacked up against Parker, who is known for his mobility and handspeed in the ring.

‘‘I expect him to be the aggressor and come to the fore, so I just plan on sticking to my game plan that we worked on in camp and going from there. ‘‘I’m quite eager and look forward to seeing how his speed matches up to my speed.’’

Fighting in front of a packed crowd cheering on their hometown hero in Parker will be a new experience for Pettaway, but he is giving those heading along little reason to root against him.

Pettaway is a quiet, friendly man, happy to talk about his amateur career and his business interests back home.

He owns a barber shop in Ohio, aptly named Upper Cuts, which has given him the freedom to focus on boxing these past two years.

In fact, heading to a barber shop will be Pettaway’s final preparation for Thursday night’s fight.

‘‘I’m actually going to a barber shop on Wednesday.

‘‘I found a good shop close to Queen St, so I’ve got to be clean when I get into the ring.’’

Staying clean by the time he gets out of the ring will be another challenge.

Jason Pettaway gave tips to up-and-coming Hamilton Boys’ High School boxer Niko Nicholson during a visit yesterday.

‘‘I haven’t really seen a lot of weaknesses and I haven’t seen him really get hit yet, so I’m looking forward to seeing how he reacts when he does get hit,’’