The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
BOXING:PARKERCRITICISESJOSHUADISRESPECTASHEEYESVICTORYINCARDIFF
Joseph Parker has accused Anthony Joshua of a lack of respect over his refusal to speak to media from New Zealand and Samoa at a workout on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old, who next Saturday fights Joshua at Cardiff ’s Principality Stadium in a unification fight for the WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles, insists his compatriots deserved better treatment.
Joshua concluded his media duties before those from New Zealand and Samoa had spoken to him, and after a period in which Parker felt he had been particularly accommodating to those from Britain.
It remains unclear whether Joshua’s perceived snub was deliberate, but Parker said: “It’s a little disrespectful because they’ve travelled a long way to come and see him, and they respect him, as a fighter and what he’s achieved. But it’s a little disrespectful.
“We were in camp in Vegas, we had a lot of British media come over and we were very friendly. Being ourselves, inviting them into our home and making them some nice food, which I was very sad to see because I was eating other food.
“He should just be a bit more respectful in talking to everyone who was there. Hopefully in future he can make it better.”
The undefeated WBO champion is also adamant he has finally overcome long-term elbow injuries following surgery in December.
Parker insists he has significantly benefited from the improvement in both his elbows and shoulders.
“I tried to schedule in surgery numerous times, but opportunities came up so we pushed back, and the past two years I’ve been training and fighting below 100%,” said Parker, who travelled to Manchester to defeat Hughie Fury in September.
“Since the surgery there’s been a lot of benefits. I’ve been training with no injuries; this is the best camp I’ve had for a long time, and that’s why I’m so confident.”