Video: Joseph Parker, Andy Ruiz show mutual respect ahead of WBO world title fight

Joseph Parker v Andy Ruiz Jr (Photosport)
Joseph Parker v Andy Ruiz Jr (Photosport)

In just over 48 hours, Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz will square off looking to deliver the knockout that'll see one of them make history in their WBO Heavyweight title fight at Vector Arena.

But judging by the way pair acted towards each other in their first official joint appearance today you wouldn't know it.

Trash talk and mind games are hallmarks of the boxing profession, but not for this heavyweight pairing.

Today's love-in was a far cry from another boxing press conference held in Manchester overnight.

British heavyweights Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora are to face off on the undercard to Anthony Joshua's IBF title defence against Eric Molina on Sunday morning.

But during the press conference, Chisora engaged in a verbal barrage with his opponent at the pre-fight press conference and things reached a boiling point when he hurled a table in the direction of Whyte, who barely flinched.

Joseph Parker said nothing like that would happen here because "the tables are too big."

"I have a lot of respect for him, Andy's had more fights than I have, he's been professional longer," Parker said.

And so is the opportunity that presents itself for Parker, who is hoping to make history by becoming New Zealand and Samoa's first ever heavyweight world champion.

Andy Ruiz has his eyes firmly on the prize and does not plan on leaving New Zealand without the title around his waist.

"I didn't come all the way over to New Zealand to lose or anything like that, I came to do my best," Ruiz said.

"I know with god on my side my hand's going be raised in the air."

After the press conference, Ruiz exchanged pleasantries with Mrs Parker and posed for photographs with her.               

It was a fitting way for the men to go their separate ways, before reuniting to belt each other around a square ring in 48 hours' time.

Newshub.