Joseph Parker won't consider Anthony Joshua until after Solomon Haumono fight

By James Dielhenn

Image: Joseph Parker puts his perfect record on the line in Christchurch on Thursday

Joseph Parker weighed in for Thursday's heavyweight clash with Solomon Haumono and claimed not to be thinking about Anthony Joshua.

The unbeaten New Zealander (19-0 KO16) is the mandatory challenger to Britain's IBF heavyweight champion and is expected to cash in his opportunity before a January deadline.

But Parker must first tackle Australian Haumono and, after weighing in 5.5lbs lighter than his rival at 234.5lbs for their showdown in Christchurch, insisted that a future world title fight against Joshua has not been on his mind.

You can't really look ahead until you beat what's in front of you.
Joseph Parker

"There's a lot of talk about Anthony Joshua but my 100 per cent focus is on Haumono," Parker told NZ Newswire.

"You can't really look ahead until you beat what's in front of you.

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"Haumono is a fighter who, when he comes forward, puts on pressure and when he throws his punches, he throws them with intention.

Parker beat Carlos Takam to become mandatory challenger for the IBF title

"He's the type of fighter that, if you let your guard down, if you ever shy away from focusing 100 per cent, he'll get you."

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Haumono (24-2-2 KO21) has spent his entire career fighting in New Zealand and Australia, and is ranked at No 11 in the WBA's heavyweight listings.

Image: Solomon Haumono (left) is an experienced foe for Parker

The 40-year-old warned that he has stepped up his training regime in a bid to hand 24-year-old Parker, who most recently beat Carlos Takam over 12 rounds, his first career defeat.

Haumono said: "I've been working very, very hard in conditioning, strength and sparring. Everything has been at a very high level and that's what's needed for Joseph Parker.

 "I'll come in with everything prepared to expect anything and everything. I can't be any better than what I am."

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