Tuesday 13 March 2018 22:38, UK
Anthony Joshua has mocked Deontay Wilder by saying he throws punches like "windmills" and believes Joseph Parker will be a "more clinical" opponent.
The British heavyweight star is edging closer to his world title unification clash with Parker in Cardiff on March 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and WBC champion Wilder is expected to be watching from ringside at the Principality Stadium.
Joshua suggested that Parker's more precise style will pose a greater threat than Wilder, who defended his WBC belt with a knockout of Luis Ortiz this month, and gave a scathing assessment of the American when he appeared in front of the Sky Sports cameras on 'The Gloves Are Off.'
Asked to compare Parker with Wilder, he told Sky Sports: "More clinical. Wilder throws windmills.
"When he [Parker] throws his shots with a left and a right, if the left don't hit you, the right catches you as you are moving in and knocks the majority of his opponents out."
Both champions are putting their perfect unbeaten records on the line, along with three major world titles, and Joshua has given credit to the 26-year-old Parker for pursuing the fight at this stage of his career.
"I can't sit here and talk as if I'm the hardest puncher, I'm the best athlete, and then go and fight Joe Bloggs that no-one has heard of, with 50 losses on his record," said Joshua.
"He took this challenge as an undefeated fighter and so did I. The respect is 50-50."
Parker was born in New Zealand, although his parents originally hail from Samoa, and Joshua has drawn comparisons with his own background.
He said: "His upbringing, you know spiritual people, solid people, same as my family, spiritual, solid, born in Africa.
"Came here for a better future, so I know how that goes, and struggled, so I know how that goes.
Worked hard, and that's why I see him as one of the lions in the jungle.
"Worked hard, and that's why I see him as one of the lions in the jungle. There is a lot of underlying desire in myself and him as well, I'm sure, and that's why I see that lion in him.
"He wants to fight and get it on. He's a champion and no-one gets to this point for no reason."
