Joseph Parker says Tyson Fury has sent him advice ahead of crucial fight with Carlos Takam
Friday 20 May 2016 16:57, UK
Joseph Parker is grateful for the backing of Tyson Fury ahead of Saturday's IBF final eliminator against Carlos Takam, live on Sky Sports.
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The unbeaten New Zealand heavyweight faces Takam for the right to become mandatory challenger to IBF champion Anthony Joshua and has welcomed the words of support from Fury, the WBA and WBO title holder.
"For myself as a young fighter, growing up and watching these fights and then getting messages of support, he's a world champion," Parker told Sky Sports.
He's at the top of the heavyweight division and to get support from him, it means a lot to me, and I'm very humbled by it.
"He's at the top of the heavyweight division and to get support from him, it means a lot to me, and I'm very humbled by it.
"He's a great guy as well, he messages me advice, so I really do appreciate it and I'm grateful. What can I say? It's great to get the backing from the champion himself."
Fury, who is preparing for his July rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, revealed how he exchanged messages with Parker.
"I like what I see with Joseph," Fury told Sky Sports. "He's a really nice guy and I speak a lot to him on the internet and Twitter, giving him advice and he takes it on board. I think he's 23 or 24 and he's doing really well.
"He can fight, he's tough and he's young and ambitious and he's my type of fighter. I wish him well."
Cameroon-born Takam tipped the scales at 17st 3lbs, while Parker weighed in lighter at 16st 10lbs for the bout in Manukau City, New Zealand.
Parker has already forced 16 stoppages in his 18 wins and will ruthlessly seek out another early finish if he hurts the battle-hardened Takam.
"There are two sides to me. There is Joseph Parker the person and there is Joseph Parker the boxer. Once the bell goes, that's when I've got to switch it on. This is a great opportunity for myself and the winner fights for the IBF world title.
"I'm ready to go 12 rounds, I've trained the house down. But if the opportunity presents itself and I hurt him - I'll take it with both hands.
"Anthony Joshua is very impressive - the man and the boxer really - the way he is doing his thing. I think he's very similar to myself, very humble, just does his talking in the ring.
"I'm sure he'll be watching closely and the winner of this fight gets an opportunity to face him one day."
Plans are already in place for Parker to appear on Joshua's undercard in November if he wins and his promoter Dean Lonergan expects him to announce himself as one of the hottest contenders in the division.
"If he can knock out Carlos Takam, it won't just send out a message to Anthony Joshua, it will send a message to the boxing world," said Lonergan.
"I think London right now is the hotbed for the world of boxing and if Joseph Parker can get past Carlos Takam, and then get past Anthony Joshua, then why wouldn't we stay up there for a couple of years, knocking your guys out."
You can watch Joseph Parker v Carlos Takam live on Sky Sports 3, Saturday morning from 11.00am, or catch a full repeat later, from 11.30pm on Sky Sports 5.
