Former WBO heavyweight king Joseph Parker believes he can hit peak form with new trainer Andy Lee and overcome a potentially rugged encounter against perennial warmonger Dereck Chisora to become a world champion again.
Kiwi Parker faces Finchley battler Chisora at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday night, keen to show his improvement with Lee after failing to impress against fellow New Zealander Junior Fa in February.
Parker (28-2, 21 KOs) is ranked No.3 with the WBO and feels Lee has fine-tuned his talents as he angles for another tilt at a world title.
“I’m very prepared for this fight, I’ve had a great training camp with Andy in Ireland, then we moved over to Morecambe and got some great sparring under our belt, great pad work, bag, everything,” said Parker. “I feel like with this fight, physically and mentally, I’m in a great place – probably the best I’ve been in a while.
“You will see some good changes. I’ll be sharper, with better movement and better footwork. I’ll be focused for the whole fight. If I execute the game-plan that Andy has put in place, it should be a good night for Team Parker. I expect Dereck to be Dereck – to apply pressure from the beginning, throwing punches and bombs.
“Two totally different styles, Junior Fa’s style was move and hug, punch every now and then. With Derek it’s no secret, he’s going to come forward and apply the pressure, throw punches everywhere. My hands are going to have to be up, down and all around.
“I’ve been a world champion before and I want to be world champion again. In order to achieve that goal I have to get Dereck out of the way first. Then set up the other fights that are out there. We’ve done everything we can to prepare for whatever he brings.
“I think this is the perfect fight at the right time. We’re right there, get a good victory and there’s many other great fights out there to be made and to position yourself when the titles are free to fight for.”
Main image: Matchroom Boxing.