International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association and International Boxing Organisation heavyweight champions, Anthony Joshua has warned World Boxing Organization heavyweight world champion, Joseph Parker that no man will stop him fulfilling his dream of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
The two fighters came face-to-face for the first time on Tuesday as they kicked off the promotional tour for the March 31 showdown.
Before the fight was announced Parker’s team sought to highlight perceived weaknesses in AJ’s armour by pointing out that he has been dropped during both his amateur and professional career.
Last April, Joshua rose from the canvas to beat Wladimir Klitschko and on Tuesday he told Parker: ‘What I’ve learned from those experiences is that it will take more than any human to stop me.’
The two unbeaten heavyweights will collide for the WBO, IBF and WBA titles at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Joshua has promised ‘fireworks’ and reminded the WBO champion: ‘This isn’t a three round fight based on skills, it’s a 12 round fight based on heart.’
Parker responded by claiming it was his ‘destiny’ to be in big fights such as these.
‘I know his strengths, he knows mine, I know his weaknesses, he thinks he knows mine, i can’t wait for this fight,’ Parker said. ‘Hopefully (I) catch him on the chin and knock him out.’
Parker’s trainer Kevin Barry did admit, however, that his fighter would need to produce the ‘greatest performance’ of his career to emerge victorious.
‘If Joseph doesn’t bring his A game it’s going to be a very difficult night,’ he said. ‘I need him to throw a lot more punches than in last few fights.’
Both Joshua and Parker are bidding to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.
Whoever emerges victorious in Cardiff will hold three of the four major belts, with America’s Deontay Wilder the other reigning champion.
The Bronze Bomber faces Luis Ortiz on March 3, with the winner being lined up to fight for all four titles later in 2018.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
