Before Joseph Parker's last fight against Anthony Joshua, his mum, Sala, admitted she was scared for her son.
But that fear that existed before the Joshua defeat is extinct ahead of this weekend's bout against Dillian Whyte according to Parker's father, Dempsey.
The two heavyweight sluggers will do battle in front of a sold-out O2 Arena in London on Sunday (NZ time) in what will be a career-defining fight for both fighters.
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The two foes took part in a public workout at a shopping mall in Stratford, east London in front of thousands of fans; with both of Parker's parents in attendance.
Speaking to Newshub, Dempsey said the same nerves that were around back in March are a thing of the past.
"I think Joseph is better now than when he fought Joshua," he said. "He is better because his elbows are really good now, so I think he's feeling better about himself.
"I'm not nervous; I feel good. When somebody prepares well you know he is going in confident that he can do the job for us, for New Zealand and Samoa."
Whyte's promoter Eddie Hearn says all the pressure is on the Kiwi boxer to win, claiming he has more to lose.
Both fighters have only lost once in their careers (both to Joshua), but Parker hasn't recorded a knockout win in his last four fights, while Whyte destroyed Australian Lucas Browne in his previous bout.
"It is a real 50-50 fight because there are so many arguments on both sides of the fence," Hearn told Newshub.
"I think Parker needs to make an impression in this fight. He needs to let his hands go, express himself and have a real fight and just by looking at his eyes, he's up for it.
"Outside of Joshua vs Deontay Wilder, this is probably the biggest fight in the heavyweight division.
"A fight neither fighter needed to take, but wanted to take and both their styles will jell into a great fight."
Newshub.
Join us at 5am Sunday for live updates of the Parker vs Whyte heavyweight bouts.
