Alexander Dimitrenko isn't the only opponent on Joseph Parker's mind week. The Kiwi heavyweight's battling the distraction of a potential title shot with Anthony Joshua in November.
Like it or not, the build-up to Saturday's fight has been overshadowed by Joseph Parker's possible bout with Anthony Joshua.
But team Parker only have one name on their lips and that person is Alexander Dimitrenko.
The man himself is questioning Parker's focus.
Dimitrenko believes Parker's thinking about Joshua and not him.
A loss to the towering Ukranian would be a massive setback for Parker's career, a shot at Joshua would disappear so he's avoiding any mention of him and staying away from distractions like social media, newspapers and TV.
He's also staying out of any negotiations between Duco and Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn.
"I told my team anything coming through from other teams in regard to a future fight, don’t talk to me until after the fight," said Parker.
And despite the hugs, smiles and laughs between the boxers today, there's a definite edge to Parker ahead of this fight.
"I want to hurt everyone I get in the ring with, when you're in the ring you've been working so hard you want to enjoy it," Parker said.
"But they're in your office and you want to get them out of there."
Partly that's down to Dimitrenko's claims Parker didn't beat Carlos Takam.
The Ukranian says he wasn't trying to bait the kiwi, and while he insists it's all behind him, maybe it's not.
"All those things will be crossing my mind when I walk into the ring, and it was disrespectful and I didn't like it so I'll show him what I didn't like about it.
"I want to catch you, you're taller than me. But when I catch you I'm going to bring you down to my level," he said.
And if all goes to plan, the big dance against Anthony Joshua is expected to be on November 26.
Newshub.
