Parker vs Whyte: Familiarity offers comfort for Kiwi Joseph Parker

Familiarity means comfort for Joseph Parker, as he heads into a crunch heavyweight fight with Briton Dillian Whyte.

The two sluggers will do battle at London's O2 Arena on Sunday (NZT), but despite being in foreign land, it's nothing the Kiwi isn't used to.

Parker's last two fights have been in the UK - a win over Hughie Fury in 2017 and a unanimous-decision loss against Anthony Joshua in April.

Speaking from the Haymaker Gym in London, Parker said Britain almost felt like home during fight week.

"This is familiar territory for us now," Parker said. "We are just finishing up our camp now here and getting ready for fight day.

"We are happy here and looking for a dominant performance, after a great five-week camp in Las Vegas."

Parker vs Whyte: Familiarity offers comfort for Kiwi Joseph Parker
Parker vs Whyte: Familiarity offers comfort for Kiwi Joseph Parker

The challenge awaiting the 26-year-old is a steep one - Whyte has lost only once, a knockout loss to Joshua in 2015 in one of the best heavyweight fights in recent years.

Whyte rocked the now-heavyweight champion in the third round and was closing in on an early finish when the round came to an end.

With 17 knockouts in 23 fights, Whyte possesses ferocious power that any opponents would fear.

Parker respects what Whyte will bring to the ring on Sunday, but is confident he has the tools to get the job done.

"If I want to be champion again, I have to fight these types of challenges," Parker said.

"I need to cement my place at the top, so it's important to fight smart, but look great.

"He is a top challenge, but I feel confident coming into this fight. It will be a great an exciting fight and I'm sure it will be a war.

"We are hungry to be champion again.

"We want to fight everyone out there - the best in the world - and we believe that he [Dillian] is one of the very best out there, and that's what it's all about, proving yourself against the best."

One aspect out of the Las Vegas resident’s hands is the officials. Team Parker were furious at their perceived ineptitude of referee Giuseppe Quartarone during the Joshua fight.

The Italian refused to allow the fighters any room to clinch during their 36-minute war in Cardiff.

Quartarone's performance was widely panned by boxing pundits around the glob, and his appointment was criticised, given his lack of experience officiating high-profile fights.

That won't be the case in London, with England's number one-ranked referee, Ian John-Lewis, appointed by the British Boxing Board of Control last week.

Parker was delighted with the news, but ultimately his only job is to beat Dillian Whyte on Sunday and make a statement.

"My focus is on training and getting ready for the fight - I leave that sort of stuff with my team, Kevin [Barry] and David Higgins.

"I think they have come up with great neutral officials and a great referee, so as long as they are happy, I am happy and we have a great referee."

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