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Joseph Parker pays respect to Tyson Fury, reminds heavyweight division – “He opened the door for us”

Written by Keeran Rajan on 14th March 2018.

In just over two weeks time, Joseph Parker and Anthony Joshua will do battle for the unified WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight world titles.

It will be a far cry from where the New Zealander began his fighting career. But Parker is not daunted by the prospect of the biggest fight of his career or taking to the ring at The Principality Stadium in front of 80,000 fans.

“When you’re first starting off, you’re basically fighting in pubs. There were always little tournaments upstairs in pubs and the smoke from the bottom level would find its way up into the second,” said Parker.

“There was a venue where there was no space and they jammed up chairs for the people to come and watch.”

“But they put so many chairs in, there wasn’t a walkway for the boxers. We actually had to creep through the chairs.”

“That was all part of the learning process and it means that now. When it comes to the big stage, I’m more than ready. I’m confident I can beat Joshua.”

Many of Parker’s team have been vocal in directing verbal barbs in Joshua’s direction. Parker has always stood by and supported his team however, Parker touched on the special relationship he shares with his trainer Kevin Barry.

Kev and I are in tune with each other every day – the relationship is strong. That’s totally a result of the arrangement we have where I am the adopted son – and the favourite son! If I was living in a hotel, it wouldn’t work. I wouldn’t have that relationship.

“When I’m in New Zealand for a long time I feel like I don’t have structure and I need that.”

Parker has situated himself in Las Vegas ahead of his showdown with Joshua and he believes that will prove to be a very beneficial decision.

“The way it is here means we don’t cut any corners with diet or training and you will see the results when I step on the scales in Cardiff.”

Tyson Fury is also another hot topic for all the heavyweight contenders. Joseph Parker surprisingly paid tribute to ‘The Gypsy King’ crediting him for ‘opening the door’ for all the other contenders with his 2015 victory over Wladimir Klitschko.

Additionally, Parker is also predicting that the heavyweight division will go to another level following his reintroduction to the heavyweight picture.

“He’s the reason I got the opportunity to fight for the heavyweight title in the first place,” Parker added.

“Tyson defeated the Wladimir Klitschko that nobody could defeat. He opened the door for us because it was locked into Klitschko for a long time. There is something missing without Tyson and once he’s back, the division will be on a different level.

“People get the wrong end of the stick with Tyson. Everyone makes mistakes and goes through hard times but he’s a great person. We know the real him.”

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