11-13-2021, 11:03 AM
Joseph Parker's trainer senses a changed fighter
Duncan Johnstone
Joseph Parker took Derek Chisora’s barbs on the chin at the media opportunity in Manchester.
Joseph Parker’s trainer Andy Lee senses a changed fighter under his command as the Kiwi heavyweight prepares for his rematch with Derek Chisora.
Parker takes on Chisora on December 19 (NZT) in Manchester, looking to put an exclamation mark on his contentious points win over the rugged Brit last May.
Parker and Lee had little time to prepare for the opening fight against Chisora and Lee feels their partnership has blossomed, believing they are well ahead with their preparations for this sequel.
“We only had five weeks last time, it just wasn’t enough time to affect any change or embed any habits or instincts we were trying to work on,” Lee said as the two fighters faced the media in Manchester.
“This time Joseph has a greater understanding of what we’re trying to do, it’s as much about the mindset as it is about the technical side.
“It will be a good fight, I’ve seen a change in Joseph from the last fight and compared to the work we’ve done in between, he’s definitely focused.”
An impressive win is crucial to Parker’s hopes of pushing on for a second world title chance after he owned the WBO belt from late 2016 until early 2018.
“I think Joseph sees an opportunity for himself, the way the heavyweight division is now. Joe fully believes when he gets past Chisora, he’s right there with any of them. I have no qualms with putting him in with anybody,” Lee said, before qualifying that last statement.
“He’ll never fight Tyson Fury because they’re as close to brothers, but anybody else in that division I’d be very comfortable with putting Joseph in with them. I’m looking forward to the fight and for Joe to show exactly what he can do.”
Chisora has gone back to his old coach David Coldwell after having American Buddy McGirt oversee his last fight against Parker. Lee knows Coldwell well and believes he will add even more intensity to Chisora for this bout.
“Having David in the opposite corner brings a bit of trepidation to me, Dave was in my corner for two or three of the biggest fights of my career. I know what he brings, the knowledge he has ... when you’re someone like Chisora small adjustments can make a big change.
“That’s probably what they’ll be looking to do. Chisora isn’t going to come out and box, jab and move, he’s going to come forward and bring the fight.
“Small adjustments will make a big change, so we have to be ready for that. That’s what we’re preparing to do.
“But Joe’s working extremely hard, and we’re well ahead of schedule. I’m very happy.”
Lee has also been working with budding Kiwi cruiserweight David Nyika who will fight on the undercard in his second professional fight against an opponent still to be named.
Nyika says he’s soaking up everything he can in his new environment, on the back of two Commonwealth Games golds and an Olympic bronze medal.
“I feel very privileged to be here, I’m in the heart of professional boxing here, so this is a massive opportunity for me. I’m looking to put myself on notice in the cruiserweight division,” Nyika said of this high-profile opportunity.
“I think there’s a lot more to professional boxing than I initially thought, I feel like I’m rebuilding Rome starting to work with Andy Lee.
“I’m in great company with the likes of Joseph Parker, the Fury’s are in camp, I’m a sponge right now and this is a great opportunity for me to grow, learn and develop as a boxer – also as a person.”
Duncan Johnstone
Joseph Parker took Derek Chisora’s barbs on the chin at the media opportunity in Manchester.
Joseph Parker’s trainer Andy Lee senses a changed fighter under his command as the Kiwi heavyweight prepares for his rematch with Derek Chisora.
Parker takes on Chisora on December 19 (NZT) in Manchester, looking to put an exclamation mark on his contentious points win over the rugged Brit last May.
Parker and Lee had little time to prepare for the opening fight against Chisora and Lee feels their partnership has blossomed, believing they are well ahead with their preparations for this sequel.
“We only had five weeks last time, it just wasn’t enough time to affect any change or embed any habits or instincts we were trying to work on,” Lee said as the two fighters faced the media in Manchester.
“This time Joseph has a greater understanding of what we’re trying to do, it’s as much about the mindset as it is about the technical side.
“It will be a good fight, I’ve seen a change in Joseph from the last fight and compared to the work we’ve done in between, he’s definitely focused.”
An impressive win is crucial to Parker’s hopes of pushing on for a second world title chance after he owned the WBO belt from late 2016 until early 2018.
“I think Joseph sees an opportunity for himself, the way the heavyweight division is now. Joe fully believes when he gets past Chisora, he’s right there with any of them. I have no qualms with putting him in with anybody,” Lee said, before qualifying that last statement.
“He’ll never fight Tyson Fury because they’re as close to brothers, but anybody else in that division I’d be very comfortable with putting Joseph in with them. I’m looking forward to the fight and for Joe to show exactly what he can do.”
Chisora has gone back to his old coach David Coldwell after having American Buddy McGirt oversee his last fight against Parker. Lee knows Coldwell well and believes he will add even more intensity to Chisora for this bout.
“Having David in the opposite corner brings a bit of trepidation to me, Dave was in my corner for two or three of the biggest fights of my career. I know what he brings, the knowledge he has ... when you’re someone like Chisora small adjustments can make a big change.
“That’s probably what they’ll be looking to do. Chisora isn’t going to come out and box, jab and move, he’s going to come forward and bring the fight.
“Small adjustments will make a big change, so we have to be ready for that. That’s what we’re preparing to do.
“But Joe’s working extremely hard, and we’re well ahead of schedule. I’m very happy.”
Lee has also been working with budding Kiwi cruiserweight David Nyika who will fight on the undercard in his second professional fight against an opponent still to be named.
Nyika says he’s soaking up everything he can in his new environment, on the back of two Commonwealth Games golds and an Olympic bronze medal.
“I feel very privileged to be here, I’m in the heart of professional boxing here, so this is a massive opportunity for me. I’m looking to put myself on notice in the cruiserweight division,” Nyika said of this high-profile opportunity.
“I think there’s a lot more to professional boxing than I initially thought, I feel like I’m rebuilding Rome starting to work with Andy Lee.
“I’m in great company with the likes of Joseph Parker, the Fury’s are in camp, I’m a sponge right now and this is a great opportunity for me to grow, learn and develop as a boxer – also as a person.”