Boxing: Joseph Parker expecting 'real mongrel' approach from Dillian Whyte

  • 06/07/2018
The Kiwi is also anticipating plenty of verbal jabs from his British opponent.
The Kiwi is also anticipating plenty of verbal jabs from his British opponent. Photo credit: Getty Images

Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker is expecting a "real mongrel" approach from Dillian Whyte when the two fighters square off in the ring later this month.

Parker and Whyte will meet at London's O2 Arena on July 29 (NZ time) in what will be the Aucklander's first outing since losing his WBO belt to Anthony Joshua in April.

The defeat was the 26-year-old's only loss since turning professional in 2012, and a win will put him back into contention for another world title shot.

Whyte is in a similar situation, and knows he must topple Parker if he wants to be the mix for a title shot - which means plenty is on the line for both fighters.

With that in mind, Parker is expecting the hot-headed 'Body Snatcher' to come out firing

"He's got real mongrel, he'll come forward all night long. He's very strong mentally, and he'll talk to you during the fight to try and get under your skin," Parker told boxingscene.com.

"But everything that he brings, I love challenges, fights like this give you motivation when you know the other guy is coming to try and hurt you seriously. He doesn't mind taking a punch to throw a punch.

Dillian Whyte.
Dillian Whyte. Photo credit: AAP

"He's a good fighter, and he talks, he'll promote the fight. It also makes sense rankings-wise, he's ranked by most organisations. That's what makes this such a great fight."

Parker's promoter David Higgins has already spoken out about Whyte's temper, saying that it'll backfire on the Brit if he's not careful.

Being vocal and was a strategy Parker's camp used ahead of the Joshua fight earlier in the year, but the Kiwi said he would leave all the verbal jabs to his opponent this time around.

"My talking in the last fight was part of the gameplan to get the contract signed and also to get under Joshua's skin a little bit.

"As for Dillian, I know he's going to mouth off. If there was a mouthing off competition, then I know he'd win. I can say a few things to get back, but I don't want to look silly.

"If there was a title at stake for mouthing off then he has won it already."

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