Video: Joseph Parker prepares for giant Russian challenge

  • 30/08/2016
Video: Joseph Parker prepares for giant Russian challenge

Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker is putting himself through the paces in preparation for his upcoming bout with Russian Alexander Dimitrenko.

At a towering 203 cms (6'9"), Dimitrenko's sheer size alone presents some altogether new challenges for the South Aucklander, trainer Kevin Barry ensuring his sparring partners at his current Las Vegas base reflect what he's set to encounter in Auckland on October 1st.

"We've put together a very strong team of sparring partners with a solid combination of size, power, long reach, and speed," said Barry. 

"I've got a 6’8” Romanian fighter with 20 professional fights, over 300 amateur fights, who brings a lot of power, a lot of strength, very long arms, a 6’7” former World kickboxing champion who is undefeated as a professional boxer, and I have an undefeated cruiserweight whose 6’6.5” who I bring in at the end of the sparring sessions, who throws more punches than any heavyweight."

With Dimitrenko enjoying a considerable reach advantage, the need for Parker to work his way inside becomes paramount, a fact not lost on the 24-year-old.

"I have to make the most of it, because you’re doing all this work to get inside and once I’m in there, I feel like I have to throw combinations, throw punches, and then make angles."

Parker should also have a significant speed advantage, notes Barry.

"It's going to be very important Joe uses his speed.

"He’s going to get in, double and triple jab his way in, work away to the body on the big man, and then get out off angles."

A win against Dimitrenko is critical to Parker's long-term fortunes, anything less would result in a loss of his right to a guaranteed world title fight with IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

His promotional team are in continual talks with Eddie Hearn, Joshua's manager, in regards to a potential fight in the UK, with an edict that negotiations must be concluded by December 9 of this year.

Newshub.