Joseph Parker says teaming up with Tyson Fury has helped breathe new life into his career and that the WBC heavyweight champion is a tirelessly positive person.
Parker faces Joe Joyce for the interim WBO heavyweight title in Manchester on Saturday, his third fight since joining trainer Andy Lee and being based at Fury’s gym in Morecambe.
The former WBO champion often shares the gym with Fury, as well as morning runs.
“He’s a positive person to be around when training, he pushes everyone and includes everyone,” Parker said. “It’s nice when he’s in his own gym!
“He has given us the gym to use, the house to live in, all the equipment. So he’s been very influential in helping me get my career back to where it is now.
“When he’s around and you’re out for a run, he’s never shy about giving you advice and help. If you see something you think you can help with, mention it. I am grateful for everything he has done and continues to do.”
Parker first boxed at the venue now known as AO Arena in 2017 when he successfully defended the WBO title against Fury’s cousin Hughie in a turbulent fight. An overweight Tyson was furious after the fight, accusing officials of corruption because he believed his cousin should have won. But Parker said that incident had no negative effect on their relationship.
“He was very supportive of me, even before that fight,” Parker said. “We exchanged messages with me on social networks and he always supported me in my fights with [Anthony] Joshua and [Dillian] Whyte has always had my back.”
While Parker and Joyce exchanged words at their news conferences, the 30-year-old Parker isn’t trying to pretend there’s a major feud going on between the pair.
“I’ve met Joe several times and he’s a good guy,” Parker said. “We’ve been going back and forth on social media, but ultimately neither of us can talk nonsense because we’re not good at it.
“We don’t talk trash, but when we fight, we want to fight hard. Let’s talk in the ring and stop talking to Tyson trash, [Deontay] Wilder and all the rest.
“This is the perfect fight for us right now because he’s ranked above me and as a fighter, you want fights that get you closer to fighting for a world title,” Parker said.
“There is a reason he is highly ranked because of what he has done. He is undefeated and all those who have put him ahead, he is defeated. He has done very well.
“Dubois’ win was the best because a lot of people thought it was going to be the other way around, he put in a good performance in that fight. But Dubois didn’t have the experience that I have. Dubois is a good fighter, but that was too soon for him.
“The experience will be a difference this time, it will be the work that we have done in this camp and the game plan that Andy came up with. All those things will help me beat this guy.
“A lot of fighters don’t have the movement, the experience, the strength or the speed to fight him, but I know I can take him down.”
Despite his friendship with Fury, Parker has not ruled out the possibility of facing him in the future, although if he beats Joyce he will have to have a rematch with the Londoner before he can think of doing anything else.
“I beat Joe Joyce and then I’m going to have to fight him again in December because of the rematch clause,” Parker said.
“I will beat him twice and then I will see my options moving forward. That’s all I’m focusing on right now.”
· BT Sport Box Office will show Joe Joyce v Joseph Parker exclusively live on Saturday. Learn more at bt.com/sportboxoffice
