Carlos Takam and Joseph Parker pose during their press conference. Photo / Getty
Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker has passed his first major test of the week - an at times awkward press conference alongside rival Carlos Takam at a South Auckland fast food restaurant packed with media and other onlookers.
Despite the casual surroundings at the Papatoetoe Burger King, Parker - who will
take on Takam in an IBF world title eliminator down the road in Manukau on Saturday - arrived in a three-piece blue suit and shiny brown brogue shoes. His trainer Kevin Barry was similarly attired, although he went for the two-piece option.
Takam, meanwhile, was dressed informally in trainers, jeans and a long top. He also refused to speak English, preferring to let his French-speaking interpreter to reply for him - although as some of the questions came from a so-called comedian who appeared determined to disrupt things that probably wasn't a bad thing.
The 35-year-old Takam did his best, laughing off the joke questions and conferring with Parker as to which Super Rugby team he was supporting while in New Zealand - for the record it was both the Hurricanes and Crusaders, although why he chose those two wasn't readily apparent.
It wasn't all laughs. Takam, who refused to take questions from Duco's media manager Craig Stanaway, but was happy to reply to the press, bristled at a query he had been sparring with Junior Fa, a 26-year-old heavyweight from Papakura who is starting his professional career. Suspicions of spying from a member of Parker's camp led to a Takam sparring session being called off last week and the French Cameroon fighter clearly hasn't forgotten it.
