JOSPEH PARKER steps in to the ring Saturday night with a seemingly impossible task, to somehow smash or steal a victory from the hands of Anthony Joshua.
The unification heavyweight battle is a fabulous occasion for British boxing and an excellent showcase for the unbeaten WBA and IBF champion.
But it seems very few people give Parker any chance of upsetting the massive odds to pull off a win.
Boxing has shown us over the years to never underestimate fighters, especially in the heavyweight division.
One punch, one mistake is crucial in the outcome of these sometimes brutal encounters.
Parker to this point has done and said everything like a winner, which he most certainly is, with an excellent record of 24 big wins, 18 of those by KO.
He has never looked close to defeat, although his last outing against Britain’s Hughie Fury did nothing to bolster his pedigree.
Saying that, the younger of the fighting Fury’s is a very good boxer and his time to shine will come.
PARK LIFE Joshua vs Parker LIVE: Latest updates and news ahead of huge world heavyweight unification clash in Cardiff
So Parker is a threat, believe me… and Joshua can ill afford to have cut corners in his preparation for what I think could be his toughest fight to date.
Here are the five areas Parker could stun AJ in Cardiff…
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1. Movement
A moving target is hardest to hit and early in the fight when Joshua’s power is at its best, Parker can ill afford to take punches.
He must keep the head moving and step from side to side at angles so AJ is kept guessing.
2. Jab
The most important punch in a fighters repertoire is the jab.
Joshua has an excellent jab but often throws singles which are long and rangy.
But the shorter Parker needs to use speed and double jabs to keep AJ off balance and unable to load up.
3. Work inside
Distance is vitally important for Parker.
He needs to be outside the danger zone of Joshua’s reach or in close.
Inside the long arms of AJ, he can capitalise and get short powerful hooks working, and test the chin of the London man which he feels is suspect.
4. Speed and rhythm
Speed is everything, fast Jjbs, fast combinations, fast feet.
Parker has to up his rhythm, keeping Joshua busy, throwing punches in bunches.
Getting into a quick rhythm is very effective… as Evander Holyfield showed against bigger men on many occasions.
5. Work-rate
Nothing in life comes easy and Parker has to work harder than he ever has… he must take Joshua into the trenches – somewhere he has never been before.
This takes bravery, commitment and desire.
There’s no doubt he has to come through the fire and test Joshua at every level in every department.
Victory will be tough… champions are not born, they are made over years of hard work, tortuous training and unbreakable spirit.
… And a plan! What’s Parker’s plan?
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