Boxing: Parker sets sights on title

New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker is pictured at the Rotovegas Boxing Gym yesterday with boxing fan Dayshai Warbrick, 14, from Kea St Specialist School. Photo / Ben Fraser

Joseph Parker is set to begin his charge towards becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of New Zealand.

The 21-year-old fighter, who is widely recognised as the next big thing in New Zealand boxing, visited Rotorua yesterday to promote his upcoming fight against Auckland-based fighter "King" Afa Tatupu.

Tatupu currently holds the New Zealand National Boxing Federation title, one of two major titles on offer for heavyweight fighters in New Zealand.

The other major title is currently held by rugby league superstar Sonny Bill Williams.

"I don't want to look too far ahead, [Tatupu] is the only fight that matters to me at the moment," Parker told the Rotorua Daily Post.

However, the softly spoken Parker said it would be great to hold both titles.

"I want to get the titles in New Zealand before I look elsewhere overseas," he said.

"[Sonny Bill] is a great athlete and I have a lot of respect for him, so we will see what we can come up with."

Parker has sparred with Tatupu as an amateur and said he was looking forward to meeting the hard hitter in the ring on October 12 in Auckland.

Parker visited the Rotovegas Boxing Gym and Pak'n Save yesterday, signing autographs while talking to young fighters and fans from Rotorua.

The giant fighter has slimmed down since his last fight against Francois Botha, following a seven-week training regime in Las Vegas.

"It was intense, we trained six times a week, three times a day."

Parker said he was in great shape, after being tested in the 40C-plus heat for seven weeks.

His trainer Kevin Barry, who defeated Evander Holyfield in his early boxing career and trained David Tua, said Parker was one of the hardest workers he had come across.

"I have never worked with a young man who gives me 100 per cent every day, like Joseph does," he said. "He is a very tough fighter."