Joseph Parker

Parker fight prep different but looking for same result

But New Zealand-Samoan boxer, Joseph Parker, is doing what needs to be done to prepare for his heavy-weight boxing showdown against Junior Fa next month.

The two New Zealand-based rivals have a long-standing history. They've had two wins each at amateur level, both hail from South Auckland, have Pasifika heritage, and are affiliated to the same church.

But their training camps couldn't look much different.

Fa is doing his preparation work in Mt Eden.

Parker is training on the opposite side of the biggest Polynesian city in the world, Auckland.

Family at forefront for Kiwi-Pasifika boxers in 'Fight of the Century'

The Samoan and Tongan New Zealanders are all square at two wins a piece from their previous four meetings as amateurs, and they have plenty to fight for.

Junior Fa is all set for what's been billed as the 'Fight of the Century', but there's one person who will be missing from his corner - his dad and secondary trainer, Uaine Fa - who passed away due to cancer last year.

A Tongan-born amateur boxer in his youth and the biggest influence in Junior's career, Uaine Fa was the man resposible for his son's boxing career.

Team Parker happy to be reunited ahead of Fa clash

With a date clash with the All Blacks now ruled out - today it was announced the fight had been pushed back a day to Saturday, 12 December.

While 24 hours isn't much, every day is particularly important for Parker - with longtime trainer Kevin Barry just one week out of quarantine having arrived from America.

Up until a week ago, Parker and Barry had spent eight months apart.

Not the ideal scenario as Parker prepared for a high-stakes clash with countryman and amateur rival Fa.

Kevin Barry knows Joseph Parker is in beast mode for Junior Fa showdown

A disciplined Parker has kept himself in beast mode during a frustrating seven months since Covid-19 stalled what was a promising start to a year when he had such huge plans to make up for what was a disappointing 2019 as injury hit him.

Now the stars have aligned for a Kiwi superfight against his old amateur rival Junior Fa in Auckland on December 11 and Barry, in hotel lockdown for two weeks since arriving from Las Vegas, knows Parker is physically ready to dominate the man put in front of him.

Parker-Fa fight closer to confirmation

Negotiations for a fight between former world champion Parker and the top-10 ranked Fa stalled once again early last month.

But the all-Kiwi contest was again being lined up.

Parker's British promoter Eddie Hearn revealed on Thursday details were being finalised for a big fight in New Zealand in October.

Responding to Hearn's comments, Parker's manager David Higgins confirmed discussions were advancing and revealed Fa was still their preferred opponent.

Plans for Parker to fight in NZ

The former WBO heavyweight world boxing champion hasn't fought since late February as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

His British promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed they're working on organising a fight for Parker at home.

"It would be our first ever show in New Zealand, in that region even," Hearn told iFL TV.

"Great fight that we're planning for him out there. It looks like October for that fight, just finalising all the details.

"It would be a major coup for us to get that over the line."

Parker up for Fury collaboration

Parker's boxing revival is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the former world heavyweight champion has showed he has plenty of strings to his bow during lockdown.

The New Zealander attempted to lift the gloom by starring in uplifting videos while in quarantine, first showing off his moves in a recreation of the 'Dancing Prime Minister' scene from the film Love Actually.

Parker then strutted his stuff while lip-syncing to The Foundations' smash hit Build Me up Buttercup, also demonstrating his prowess with a guitar and on the piano.

Parker hungry for world titles

Parker continued his revival by stopping Shawndell Winters in February to extend his winning streak to three fights.

The New Zealander has no idea when his next bout will be due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the former WBO champion revealed quarantine life has further fuelled his determination to rise to the top.

He told Stats Perform: "Time off like this is really important. It's not something that we choose to happen, but I guess everyone can use this time to reflect on our lives and think about what makes us happy and what we want to do.

Joseph Parker wins by brutal fifth round knockout against Shawndell Winters

Parker landed 68 power punches to Winter's 28, saying in the post-fight interview that he was looking to be a bit more patient in the fight.

He also said he was open to fighting anyone in the top 10, including Dereck Chisora, who he was meant to fight last year.

The 28-year-old also said he was open to a rematch with Englishman Dillian Whyte, who he lost to in 2018.

Round 5 - That's it! Parker wins by knockout after a beautiful combination. A big right hand did the damage initially, but there were a few more punches that landed as Winters wemt down.

Joseph Parker stares down next opponent ahead of heavyweight clash

Parker, 28, hasn't fought since last June, where he earned a TKO victory over Alex Leapai in Providence.

Standing in the Kiwi's way is 39-year-old Winters, boasting a record of 13 wins and two defeats from his 15 professional fights.