Joshua vs Parker: Joseph Parker has undergone elbow operations, confirms his promoter David Higgins
Thursday 22 March 2018 15:16, UK
Joseph Parker received a fitness boost ahead of the Anthony Joshua fight after long-standing elbow problems were cured by surgery at the end of last year.
The WBO heavyweight champion was hampered by pain for over two years and underwent operations on each elbow, which were kept secret by his team ahead of the unification clash with WBA 'super' and IBF champion Joshua in Cardiff on March 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Parker's promoter David Higgins has confirmed the New Zealander was having surgery while he held lengthy talks for the Joshua fight and believes the procedure will allow his fighter to punch faster and harder.
"We're pretty transparent, we've got nothing to hide, especially given it was so damn successful," Higgins told Sky Sports.
Joseph is blazing again, full speed, full power.
"We were negotiating while Joseph was having surgery, but now seems like an opportune time to end speculation and front foot the issue."
Trainer Kevin Barry admitted he had to manage Parker's elbow issues in past training camps, but has experienced no such problems in preparations for Joshua.
We have been managing pain in nearly every single training camp.
"I think it was a very important decision for us to make. We've had a lot of pain in the last two years, and I believe it has really impinged his performances," said Barry.
"We have been managing pain in nearly every single training camp, and for us now to go into a camp for the biggest fight of Joe's career, and have no pain at all, it was a very good move for us getting the surgery."
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn admitted this week he had heard claims about Parker's surgery and is impressed with the 26-year-old's physical condition.
"Parker looks much, much lighter," Hearn told Sky Sports. "There are rumours that Parker has been injured for the past two or three fights, but now is injury-free and looks unbelievable in training."
