Former Australian WBO and IBO title-holder Danny Green has slammed suggestions Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker doesn't have enough "mongrel" in him.
The 26-year-old has lost two-straight fights after he was beaten by Briton Dillian Whyte in London last month.
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Former world champion Tyson Fury said Parker was "too nice" and that "he needs to get a bit more venom in him" in a YouTube video.
Speaking to Andrew Gourdie and Jim Kayes on RadioLIVE, Green rubbished the idea Parker isn't aggressive enough.
"He's a real, mellow cat outside the ring and when the bell goes and he jumps over those ropes, he turns into a different beast," he said.
"I don't think there's a problem with his mongrel - he's got that in spades; if you get in that ring you got to be a mongrel, especially at the big stage. You don't get to where he got without having an abundance of mongrel.
"He's calculated, he's very skilful - some guys are different, some guys rely on their wildness and their mongrel. Joseph relies on skill, finesse, technique, power - and he's a different fighter to a lot of guys."
Heavyweight rival Derek Chisora, who knocked out Carlos Takam in the undercard, said Parker should retire after he was asked if he'd be interested in fighting the Kiwi.
But Green believes Parker still has plenty to offer the sport, and is confident he'll be back in the ring.
"I don't think he's looking at retiring at all, and I would be pretty confident Joseph himself isn't thinking that as well," he said.
"He's got a big future - he's 26 years old, he has lost twice in his last two fights - but they've been very memorable fights, particularly the one against Dillian Whyte.
"People were jumping out of their seats watching that fight - that's what attracts fans to fighters: crowd-pleasing fights.
"I'm a fan of his and he's a gentleman, a top, young bloke and an excellent ambassador for the sport, not just in New Zealand, but around the world."
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