Parker: I’m walking into the lion’s den

Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker has a simple message for those warning of a hostile environment when he fights Hughie Fury in Manchester.

“They say, are you ready to enter the lions’ den?” Parker told Newstalk ZB from Las Vegas, where he’s in a training camp preparing for September’s title defence. “But I think I’m the lion going into the den.”

Parker’s determination to prove he’s one of the kings of the heavyweight jungle comes after a couple of fights in which he admitted showing only “60-65 per cent” of his ability.

Against Fury, in what will be Parker’s second defence of his WBO world heavyweight belt, the Kiwi is convinced he can demonstrate just how dominant he can become.

“What I want out of this fight is a dominant performance,” Parker said. “I want to show the world who I am. Because I think I’ve been showing 60-65 per cent of what I can do in the ring. That’s why I’m very excited — because I know there’s a lot more I can offer and a lot more I can show.”

Achieving that goal means only one thing once the opening bell has rung on September 23 — a knockout victory. Having gone the distance in both last year’s win over Andy Ruiz Jr — which earned him the WBO title — and his first defence against Razvan Cojanu in May, the onus will be on Parker to prove his knockout power.

And while the 25-year-old is also focusing on his fitness during his camp with trainer Kevin Barry, Parker is targeting an early finish given Fury may enjoy the benefit of a hometown decision if the fight does last 12 rounds.

“Once fight time comes, I’ll be able to chase him for 12 rounds and throw as many punches as I can,” Parker said. “I think my output’s going to be much better than in previous fights.

“Maybe if it does go 12 rounds, he’ll have the favouritism and they’ll give it to him. But my goal for this fight is to be as fit as I can so I can chase him down, and I’ll be looking for the knockout.”