Joseph Parker may be less than a week out from stepping into a boxing ring against a vicious puncher who wants to knock him out, but you wouldn't know it.
The former WBO heavyweight champion is in London, preparing for his pivotal bout with Brit Dillian Whyte on Sunday (NZT). A win could propel either fighter into a future title fight with Anthony Joshua.
But Parker was all smiles on Tuesday when Sky Sports UK caught up with him at local guitar shop.
The Kiwi has played guitar longer than he has donned boxing gloves, often using music as a tool to relax ahead or after a big fight.
"Music is a great part of my life," Parker told Sky Sport UK. "It helps me relax and keep calm whenever I am not boxing.
"I feel like the guitar playing gives me rhythm with my punches - really helps to change up my jab," Parker joked. "No, it just helps relax my hands."
The 26-year-old showed off his jamming skills moments later, when he played a tune with Hank's Guitar Shop manager Tommy.
Playing a 1970s Gibson Hummingbird - a model made famous by Rolling Stones guitarists Keith Richards and Brian Jones - Parker proved he was just as useful strumming as he is punching.
Newshub.
