EXCLUSIVE: Joseph Parker's approaching his boxing prime but he's having to manage ongoing shoulder and elbow injuries to unify the heavyweight belts.
At just 25, the WBO Champion revealed to Newshub that he's experiencing wear and tear from his 22 career-fights.
"Both shoulders and both elbows. It's pretty sore but I guess you just have to work through the pain," Parker said.
Parker is unbeaten and hasn't missed a training camp or a bout because of the injuries, which don't require surgery.
"It's something we can work out as best we can. We've seen physiotherapists and neuro-muscular specialists, been getting x-rays and MRIs on it. It's just wear and tear. The advice given is you just need a proper break after each fight."
He says the break he took after beating Andy Ruiz for the WBO Heavyweight title reaped rewards.
"After the break it was good. It needed that break because it was overused. Now that we're back in camp we're feeling it here and there but after the fight we'll get another break. I can rest it and spend time with family. That'll be good for me."
"There's so many things you have to overcome. But when you get your mind strong you can overcome all of them. I think I've got my mind strong enough to handle anything that comes my way, any situation."
Despite making big inroads already during his career, Parker's long indicated he doesn't want to fight far past thirty years old.
He fights former sparring partner Romanian Razvan Cojanu on Saturday in Auckland.
Newshub
