"Everything in my life feels perfect."
It’s little wonder Joseph Parker is upbeat. Talking to 1News at his home on the outskirts of South Auckland as the sun streams through his lounge windows on a fine autumn morning, Parker explains why.
His family of wife Laine and their four daughters is about to get larger next month with the addition of a son, and, after his recent victory over Zhilei Zhang, Parker is back in the world heavyweight championship mix.
The only question for him is how much better he can get under trainer Andy Lee and nutritionist and conditioner George Lockhart.
And, indeed, who he might fight next.
Kiwi heavyweight says he wants more big names in front of him inside the square ring as he eyes another world title. (Source: 1News)
Parker’s victory over Zhang in Ryadh this month triggered a rematch clause but he’s unsure whether the fight will eventuate because there is doubt about whether the Saudi money-men want it.
"My gut is saying it’s going to be a different fight with a different fighter," Parker says. "But I’m contracted to the rematch so that’s what’s in place at the moment. I don’t care who I fight – I’ve said that before, I’ll fight anyone, anywhere any time.
"I just feel like with the Saudis, do they really want to see this fight again or do they want Zhang to fight [Deontay] Wilder? Do they want me to fight someone else like a [Filip] Hrgovic or [Daniel] Dubois?"
Part of Parker’s happiness and rising prominence in the heavyweight division (and both are obviously linked) is due to his dominant points victory over Wilder just before Christmas – also in Ryadh.
Parker nullified Wilder’s power by keeping the American on the back foot and taking away his space. But, such is Wilder’s danger and profile, that he remains an attraction. A fight between Wilder and Anthony Joshua, for example, would be extremely popular.
And Joshua — the Englishman who relieved Parker of his WBO world heavyweight title belt in front of 80,000 people in Cardiff in 2018 — remains high on the Kiwi’s hit-list.
"If I don’t fight Zhang, I’ve already been vocal about wanting to fight Anthony Joshua. We had a discussion after his fight and my fight. We’re both interested in a rematch."
'I'm a different fighter'
He adds: "The first fight was Joshua’s fight. He outboxed me and won that fight. The second fight could be different. We’ve both evolved as fighters.
"When I look back, I feel I’m a different fighter and person, not only with boxing but my life in general. Being a family man, being happy. That translates to your boxing life."
Parker lost to Joshua on a wide points decision but the Italian referee consistently denied the pair the chance to fight on the inside. With Joshua enjoying a reach advantage, that hamstrung Parker considerably.
He says now: "I don’t blame the ref, I blame myself. My game plan wasn’t the best – it was defensive. A top-level fighter can adjust and change. I feel like I’m getting to be that fighter.
"I’ve finally found what works for me in terms of training, schedule, balance, everything."
What Parker does know is that his American guru Lockhart, a former US marine, will join him in Auckland in a fortnight in preparation for his next fight which may happen in three or four months.
Parker’s good friend Tyson Fury put him on to Lockhart, as well as Lee, but initially as a nutritionist only. Now Lockhart takes care of his fitness too and that has come as a revelation.
Parker says he could have fought another 12 rounds against the rapidly tiring and 130kg Zhang due to his conditioning which included two-hour runs and, more controversially, training on the day of the fight.
It allowed him to rise from two knockdowns and otherwise dominant Zhang, who may wonder how he can hurt Parker if the rematch goes ahead.
"We knew it was going to be a tough night but you never prepare yourself for a big knockdown.
"Thankfully, my conditioning was the best it’s ever been. I was able to recover, regroup and stay focused."
Parker confirmed he would travel to Saudi Arabia to watch Fury fight Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title in May, but would stay ready for whatever came his way in the meantime.
He says he asked Lockhart recently how much better he can get. "We’ve only just started," was the reply.
"Imagine that? More muscle, more speed, more power," Parker says.
"I feel like I’m in a good position."
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