Anthony Joshua has announced that there will “definitely be blood” in his fight with Joseph Parker and hopes for a heavyweight classic like Riddick Bowe’s battles with Evander Holyfield.
The WBA ‘super’ and IBF title holder can move one belt away from becoming the undisputed champion if he takes the WBO strap from Parker at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on March 31.
But Joshua respects the speed and power of the New Zealander, who has 18 knockouts on his 24-fight unbeaten record, and is bracing himself for a punishing encounter.
There will definitely be blood, and the thing is – you can definitely hear the leather, cracking on people’s heads, if you’re close enough as well, and we’re both fast.
“I can’t tell you exactly how the fight will go, but we’re big, we’re strong, and the punches do hurt after a while,” Joshua told Sky Sports News.
“I definitely know there’ll be blood. There will definitely be blood, and the thing is – you can definitely hear the leather, cracking on people’s heads, if you’re close enough as well, and we’re both fast.
“You’ll see really good combinations that you don’t really see from heavyweights.”
Joshua can join the list of champions who held three of the major world titles including Bowe, who supplied a trio of memorable fights with Holyfield.
“Let’s say for instance – Parker’s Holyfield, and I’m Riddick Bowe, the taller, rangier fighter.
“Those two, when they fought, they had speed, combinations on the inside, and hopefully we can fulfil what the greats have done before us.”
The 28-year-old laughed off continued speculation about his weight, insisting that he has been fine-tuning his technique rather than undergoing a strict diet regime.
“Weight has never been an issue,” he said. “I wouldn’t make weight the main factor of what I’ve been working on in this camp. It hasn’t been like a Weight Watchers camp for three months.
Anthony Joshua has refused to confirm the expectation that he will weigh-in notably lighter to fight Joseph Parker.
“I’ve been working on technique and stuff like that, rather than worrying so much about my weight.
“In terms of how I’m feeling, in terms of my weight, I’m comfortable.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “We expect him to be lighter. He cuts out training Sunday or Monday then he’s just refuelling so it depends what he chooses to eat next week.
“Everybody will be looking at the scales [at the weigh-in]. We expect him to be lighter than the Carlos Takam fight. He is faster on his feet.
“Parker looks much, much lighter. There are rumours that Parker has been injured for the past two or three fights but now is injury-free and looks unbelievable in training.”
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
