Joshua vs Parker: Talking points from weigh-in between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker
Saturday 31 March 2018 12:14, UK
Anthony Joshua's weigh-in result is a calculated plot to deprive Joseph Parker of his biggest hope to win Saturday's fight, writes James Dielhenn.
The goal for the travelling fighter was to find Joshua inside his comfort zone, unconcerned with his steadily increasing muscle mass and susceptible to tiring. Instead, a newly-improved Joshua stood just marginally heavier than Parker whose claim to possess a speed advantage will now be thoroughly examined.
Joshua was two pounds shy of a stone lighter than his last fight, against Carlos Takam, which was the second consecutive time he weighed-in at his career-heaviest.
There has been a dignified acceptance over the past few weeks and months that Joshua was too heavy against Takam, operating above his optimum weight having breached the colossal 18st mark. Previously against Wladimir Klitschko, the accusation was that Joshua tired before staging his comeback.
Team Joshua have grinned and brushed off the importance of their weigh-in measurements but his significant trim down to 17st 4lbs points at a concerted effort to arrive in a more efficient condition.
Parker is two inches shorter and not as naturally muscular but the speed of his hands and upper body is worlds away from Takam, whose style allowed Joshua to be heavier and therefore stronger.
"You will see I will be a lot sharper. My reflexes will be sharper and my speed will be much sharper," Joshua said on Friday.
The acceptance that he needed to tweak his approach, not to mention the dedication required in the gym to build his new physique correctly, is an impressive indicator that Joshua knows he hasn't yet reached the top of the mountain. It also suggests he knows Parker's smaller, speedier style is dangerous and has adapted to ruthlessly remove his opponent's perceived advantage.
"Us being close in weight makes me think he is taking it seriously," said Parker. "We are similar, we will both be fast tomorrow and throwing bombs."
Parker's abs were not the most impressive at the weigh-in (whose are better than Joshua's?) but they might have been the most noteworthy.
The New Zealander has also carved himself into a shape unrecognisable from his past three outings, his hat-trick of WBO title fight wins, dating back 18 months.
He is lighter than he has been in years, noticeably around the midriff which they admitted needed to improve despite winning and defending a world title. Parker's admission to having elbow surgery last December makes you wonder if he is finally operating at a physical peak that he wasn't able to achieve last year.
There is a quiet menace about Parker this week in Cardiff. His promoter David Higgins has added occasionally hilarious interludes but, beneath that, there is a chilling intensity that they know something the rest of us don't.
The Haka at the weigh-in will have gritted Joshua's teeth, rather than widened his eyes, but it was a collective stamp of the foot from Parker's camp. They are not here for a bit-part in the Joshua stadium tour.
Both heavyweight champions confidently faced off but one of their broad smiles is the result of a naivety that comes from not having fought each other yet. On Saturday, we find out whose.
