Joseph Parker explains why he declined Tyson Fury’s sparring offer

Patrik Kuitunen2 min read
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Joseph Parker explains why he declined Tyson Fury’s sparring offer

Tyson Fury recently offered his help to Joseph Parker as a sparring partner but the WBO World heavyweight champion has respectfully declined ‘The Gypsy King’s’ offer.

Parker and Anthony Joshua are set to collide on March 31st as the two will fight for heavyweight glory in a big unification bout in at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. On top of the sparring, there was also talk about Fury possibly walking Parker to the ring against the WBA, IBF & IBO champion.

Right now it’s looking like Fury won’t be a part of Parker’s entourage in Cardiff and the Kiwi also won’t be sparring against the former heavyweight world champion because Fury is not the right fit.

“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 in an interview with Radio Live.

The WBO champ has set up his training camp in Las Vegas with trainer Kevin Barry. According to Parker, they have found the right mix of sparring partners.

“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,” explained Parker.

He then went into detail about why Fury’s style is not suitable for his preparation against Joshua.

Joshua’s style mainly focuses on pressure and power. Parker wants his sparring partners to emulate this and come forward strong and he believes stylewise Fury is too different.

“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,” said Parker.

READ MORE:

Eddie Hearn warns Joseph Parker

Joseph Parker not scared of Joshua’s power

Tyson Fury reveals a Joseph Parker drinking story

US Boxing analyst gives Parker no chances against Joshua

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