Joshua vs Parker: Joseph Parker says all the pressure is on home favourite Anthony Joshua
Tuesday 27 March 2018 11:25, UK
Joseph Parker believes Anthony Joshua will feel the burden of being the home favourite in their world heavyweight title unification clash.
The New Zealander will have to cope with a patriotic 78,000 crowd when he faces Joshua at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
But Parker insists the weight of expectation will rest firmly on the shoulders of Joshua, who has defeated all 20 of his previous opponents by knockout.
There's more pressure on him. There's going to be a lot of eyes on this fight.
Speaking on 'Parker In Camp', he told Sky Sports: "I guess there is more pressure at home.
"Fighting at home you're fighting in front of your family, your friends, your country and you want to put on a great performance and so there is more pressure fighting at home.
In Camp With Joseph Parker
"There's more pressure on him. There's going to be a lot of eyes on this fight.
"There's a lot of expectation on his side and there's and a lot of people thinking he should knock me out early in the fight and he should get the win easily so there is pressure.
"A lot of people also ask me is there pressure on you? I say there is no pressure and if there is pressure it's how you deal with it."
Parker received the Joshua fight after a prolonged media campaign in which he famously questioned his fellow champion's punch resistance and the 26-year-old admits he wants to start his own promotional company after his boxing career has ended.
"In boxing I want to be the unified champion of the world," said Parker. "Now that I've ticked off being New Zealand champion and world champion I want to be the unified champion.
"There hasn't been a unified champion in a long time, I think since Lennox Lewis, in life I want to look after my family.
"I want to look after my parents I want to have a happy life you know I want to be able to live comfortably and I want to help others.
"My ultimate goal after boxing is maybe open up a promotional company look for good talent in New Zealand no matter what it is maybe boxing, singing. I don't know maybe other sports I want to give them the opportunity that I have had to maybe put them on the world stage."
Watch 'Parker In Camp' at 10.30pm on Tuesday night on Sky Sports Main Event.
