Parker to thrive on hostility

Trainer Kevin Barry says Joseph Parker is in tip top shape for his fight with Hughie Fury this weekend.

The cheers will quickly turn to jeers but Joseph Parker will thrive on the hostilities in the Manchester Arena when he fights local hero Hughie Fury.

That's the firm belief of Parker's trainer Kevin Barry as the Kiwi heavyweight's UK debut in his WBO world title defence looms ever closer.

Parker arrived in Manchester from London on Thursday (NZT) and was given a surprisingly warm welcome as he went through a public workout in a ring set up in a busy downtown restaurant zone.

But walking into the ring on fight night will be another matter.

"I think it's going to be hostile out there," Barry predicted.

"We know that the Manchester fans are very, very supportive of their locals and I expect them to really get behind Hughie. There will be a lot of jeers and boos when we come out, but that's what we expect, that's what we have trained for, that's what we have prepared for."

Barry backed Parker to not only deal with it but use it to his advantage.

"We will thrive off that. Everyone who knows Joe and has watched him on this journey, they know how relaxed he is, they know how he operates," Barry said.

"Joe is a not a fighter that gets anxious, he's not a fighter that suffers from nerves, he's somebody that relishes the pressure, who will smile all the way to the ring like he always does and when that bell goes, the switch will turn and the animal will come out."

The occasion and the stakes at risk were obvious.

"We have waited for a long time to fight here in the Uk and this is the beginning of a lot of further business here," Barry said.

"It's very, very important that we enjoy this experience, that Joe grows from this experience, but most importantly that we have a very good performance on Saturday night."

The Parker camp maintain their quest for a knockout win to emphasise their point.

"I think we can win the fight on points but I plan on winning by knockout, that's what we have trained to do, that's what Joe wants to do," Barry said.

"There are no excuses and I think we are going to see Joseph Parker look tremendous on Saturday night and he will knock Hughie Fury out.

"They are going to know that Joseph Parker has arrived."

Photo by: ANDREW COULDRIDGE/REUTERS (Caption: Joseph Parker won over a few manchester fans with his friendly ways at a public training session in the city centre)