ANTHONY JOSHUA would have his last £20 on a KO win over Joseph Parker on Saturday.
IBF and WBA heavyweight champion put his belts on the line in Cardiff on Saturday, a week after having £25 on Dillian Whyte to win in the sixth and landing £650.
And the 28-year-old could add a few more pennies to his rumoured £20million purse, if he floors the undefeated Kiwi.
AJ said: “I have been boxing for ten years now and I have built mental strength to add to my physical capabilities and I have never been more confident.
“I feel every fight is a blessing, Parker or Mr X, every fight has a reason. It’s Parker, he’s a champion and he adds something to my life journey.
“I am looking forward to Saturday and I will look back on it and move forward.
“In terms of his attributes, he’s quick and can take a punch, that’s what I have heard.
“I am prepared for a twelve-round fight, if I had 20 quid in my pocket then I believe I will knock Parker out.”
Suited WBO king Parker looked incredibly slim compared to the powerful unit we have seen bulldoze undefeated through the division.
AJ kept it casual in his personalised tracksuit, shaking hands with fans on his way to the top table but ignoring Parker and his team after weeks of bad blood.
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But the 24-0 Kiwi kept the build-up tame when face-to-face with the Brit hero and paid his respect to AJ and his achievements.
Parker, 26, said: “We have had a tremendous camp, we have had a lot of pain but embraced it and loved it.
“I feel ready, confident and sharp. I am taking those belts back to New Zealand and Samoa.
“I see him as a great champion and I respect him but we see him as a big challenge and that’s why we want to fight him.
“I feel it is my time, I am young, fast and strong. I am not here for a payday, I am here to make history.
Joshua vs Parker betting, Ladbrokes
Parker by KO, TKO or Disqualification – 43% (8/1)
Parker by Decision or Technical Decision – 30% (14/1)
Joshua by KO, TKO or Disqualification – 14% (2/7)
Joshua by Decision or Technical Decision – 13% (9/2)
“I am going to beat him but I have not decided how yet, we will see on fight night.”
Meanwhile, nearly three-quarters of punters have flocked to back underdog Parker, a 5/1 shot – compared to Joshua, who’s a remarkable 1/9 to win.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “AJ will head into Saturday’s bout as the clear favourite as far as the odds concerned.
“But it’s Parker who’s running away with things in the popularity charts.”
Joshua vs Parker: Tips and odds ahead of unification bout
ANTHONY JOSHUA has vowed to take his times and pick his shots, while Joseph Parker will be relying to land a big hit.
If AJ adopts his calculated approach, Parker will be on the back foot – but regardless of his tactics we back Joshua to win by stoppage.
And he could select his shots and KO the Kiwi in the later rounds.
But if Parker turns this bout into a scrap, which he needs to do, AJ could land his heavy right hand earlier on.
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