12-26-2017, 09:50 AM
Anthony Joshua admits he has to reassess 'unpredictable' Joseph Parker as unification fight looms
Anthony Joshua says he can't allow Joseph Parker to get inside his head as their unificaiton fight deal looks set to be sealed.
Anthony Joshua admits he is having to reassess Joseph Parker as the New Zealand heavyweight's increasing confidence for a unification fight puzzles the big Brit.
WBO champion Parker and IBF and WBA champion Joshua are close to finalising a fight deal to bring together three of the four titles.
They are so close that Joshua admitted he would like a signed contract from Parker as his main Christmas present as the festive season hit Britain on Tuesday.
Joseph Parker appears to have hit a nerve with his verbal assaults on Anthony Joshua.
But Parker's cheeky taunting of Joshua has the English fighter confused.
Joshua was asked to assess his three hoped-for opponents in 2018 – Parker, WBC champion Deontay Wilder, and former champ Tyson Fury - and it seems the Kiwi has him a bit rattled with repeated questions about Joshua's "glass chin" and his money motives over what is a fair split for the fight.
It seems Parker has hit a nerve with his verbal assaults.
"Parker, I don't know, it's unpredictable, because from a fighting perspective, I know I can beat him," Joshua said.
"But he's now trying to challenge me mentally, the things he's saying, the way he's acting, this is out of character.
"So I have to reassess Parker. I don't get where he's got this lease of confidence, I just don't get it but I'm going to have to assess Parker because he's not going to trouble me physically, he's trying to get to me mentally. I have to keep my cool and not get involved in any trash talking."
As for the others, Joshua believes he could outbox the unorthodox Wilder though confirmed Fury was his biggest worry in terms of boxing skills.
Of Wilder, he said: "His record proves he has a powerful punch, but his powerful punch doesn't come with an uppercut, it doesn't come with a peach left hook.
"It just comes with a straight right hand. So you eliminate one or two of his main weapons, you kind of chip the tree down with Wilder and I think he starts to lose his confidence."
It remains to be seen if Fury gets serious with his latest comeback attempt. If Fury can get back into shape, Joshua admitted that Manchester's man-mountain would be a handful.
"I just think he's awkward in the mind and he's awkward in his style," Joshua said.
"Unpredictable. You just don't know. He doesn't have one significant style. He may move around the ring and try and steal the win, he may just jab the whole fight, I've seen him fight guys like John McDermott years ago where he would just try and fight with you, Steve Cunningham where he tries to fight with him and he's more vulnerable.
"So I don't know what style Fury will possess but he's good because he can mix it up, he's a man of many trades."
Joshua's clash with Parker is expected to be confirmed in the next fortnight with Cardiff a likely venue for late March or early April.
- Stuff
Anthony Joshua says he can't allow Joseph Parker to get inside his head as their unificaiton fight deal looks set to be sealed.
Anthony Joshua admits he is having to reassess Joseph Parker as the New Zealand heavyweight's increasing confidence for a unification fight puzzles the big Brit.
WBO champion Parker and IBF and WBA champion Joshua are close to finalising a fight deal to bring together three of the four titles.
They are so close that Joshua admitted he would like a signed contract from Parker as his main Christmas present as the festive season hit Britain on Tuesday.
Joseph Parker appears to have hit a nerve with his verbal assaults on Anthony Joshua.
But Parker's cheeky taunting of Joshua has the English fighter confused.
Joshua was asked to assess his three hoped-for opponents in 2018 – Parker, WBC champion Deontay Wilder, and former champ Tyson Fury - and it seems the Kiwi has him a bit rattled with repeated questions about Joshua's "glass chin" and his money motives over what is a fair split for the fight.
It seems Parker has hit a nerve with his verbal assaults.
"Parker, I don't know, it's unpredictable, because from a fighting perspective, I know I can beat him," Joshua said.
"But he's now trying to challenge me mentally, the things he's saying, the way he's acting, this is out of character.
"So I have to reassess Parker. I don't get where he's got this lease of confidence, I just don't get it but I'm going to have to assess Parker because he's not going to trouble me physically, he's trying to get to me mentally. I have to keep my cool and not get involved in any trash talking."
As for the others, Joshua believes he could outbox the unorthodox Wilder though confirmed Fury was his biggest worry in terms of boxing skills.
Of Wilder, he said: "His record proves he has a powerful punch, but his powerful punch doesn't come with an uppercut, it doesn't come with a peach left hook.
"It just comes with a straight right hand. So you eliminate one or two of his main weapons, you kind of chip the tree down with Wilder and I think he starts to lose his confidence."
It remains to be seen if Fury gets serious with his latest comeback attempt. If Fury can get back into shape, Joshua admitted that Manchester's man-mountain would be a handful.
"I just think he's awkward in the mind and he's awkward in his style," Joshua said.
"Unpredictable. You just don't know. He doesn't have one significant style. He may move around the ring and try and steal the win, he may just jab the whole fight, I've seen him fight guys like John McDermott years ago where he would just try and fight with you, Steve Cunningham where he tries to fight with him and he's more vulnerable.
"So I don't know what style Fury will possess but he's good because he can mix it up, he's a man of many trades."
Joshua's clash with Parker is expected to be confirmed in the next fortnight with Cardiff a likely venue for late March or early April.
- Stuff