Joshua vs Parker: Joseph Parker and Kevin Barry offer insight into Las Vegas training camp
Friday 16 March 2018 13:12, UK
As Joseph Parker edges closer to the Anthony Joshua fight, we asked the WBO heavyweight champion and his trainer to answer key questions about their preparations.
The New Zealander headed to a familiar location of Las Vegas to train his body and mind for a massive world title unification clash against Joshua at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on March 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Long-term coach Kevin Barry has again overseen Parker's latest camp at a new base in America's boxing capital, and both men offer insight into their training methods for the biggest fight of the 26-year-old's career.
What have been the benefits of training in Las Vegas?
Kevin Barry: We've just got a new gym that we're working out of, which is going to save us about two hours of travelling time a day. It's like 500 yards from my house.
Joe is a very busy man, he's got a lot on all the time. There's a lot of media with this fight, sponsors and everything else. He's got a young daughter, so having those extra two hours a day are gold for us.
Joseph Parker: You can't get any good sparring in New Zealand. You are open to good sparring partners, who lift your game.
I have more distractions in New Zealand than I do in Vegas. In Vegas, I can focus on the job and get everything done the right way.
Will Joseph be lighter for this fight?
Kevin Barry: The big thing with Joe's diet is Joe. We have a very clean diet in camp. Occasionally he likes to snack at night time and so the inference is on Mr Parker.
The motivation levels are very, very high for this fight. This is a fight that we've talked about and we have visualised for the last three years. This is a fight that we always expected to happen.
What kind of weight target have you set for Parker?
We're thinking somewhere around 107, 108kg (17st).
Who oversees Joseph's pre-fight diet?
Joseph Parker: I'll leave it to [Kevin's wife] Tanya, who makes all our meals, and then she will adjust to what we need, and how much the body needs. If we're feeling a bit hungrier, she'll give us something here and there. It's mostly eating clean and I need to get down to that weight that we talked about getting down to.
I could do a lot better than what I've done. This is a massive opportunity and a massive event fight, so everything has to be on point.
Who handles Parker's strength and conditioning?
Kevin Barry: I've got a couple of people we use in Vegas. We've got a formula that works for us. Joe is undefeated in 24 fights, so we're doing some things right.
How early did Parker begin sparring?
A six week sparring phase, and then we'll come over. We'll do 10 days in London and four in Cardiff.
Did you already have plans in place for sparring?
Kevin Barry: Yeah, I've been working on it since last year.
How do you plan to combat Joshua's strengths?
Joseph Parker: I think in this fight it's very important to be fast. Movement is going to be very important, speed is going to be important, it's like how we used to fight before.
Kevin Barry: We know Joshua is a very physical guy. He's got a good left jab. If we allow him to control things with his left jab, it's going to be a very long night for Joe. We need to take that jab away.
Is there extra motivation for a unification fight?
I'm more motivated than ever. I want to make a statement and I want to beat him. That's the reason why I want to fight him.
Kevin Barry: Obviously this is the biggest fight that Joe's had in his career. The intensity level will be high. It will be very important that we're on point with all our training, but we've got things in place very well.
