Boxing: I'll knock out The Tank - Parker

New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker has pledged to knock out Sherman Williams tomorrow night, a statement which has earned a swift reply from the man from the Bahamas known as "The Tank".

Parker stated his bold aim at today's weigh-in at the Trusts Arena fight venue in Waitakere, with the 22-year-old South Aucklander tipping the scales at 104.95kg and Williams recording 120.4kg.

Williams, 42, has been stopped only once in 52 professional fights.

"I'm just confident in myself and what I can do in the ring," Parker said. "I believe I have the power to be the first man [since Robert Davis in 1999] to knock him out. I want to do my best and that's the goal I've set for tomorrow night."

Williams, who fought a no-contest bout against Evander Holyfield in 2011 due to a cut caused by an accidental head clash in the third round, hit back by saying Parker had fought only "bums" during his 10-fight professional career.

Williams was disparaging about Francois Botha and Brian Minto, both of whom Parker has knocked out, and said he was a very different prospect. Parker's WBO Oriental and PABA heavyweight titles are on the line.

"I'm actually happy that they've underestimated me and have put me in league with these bums," he said. "I'm looking to set the record straight and leave with those championship belts.

"It gives me a bit more motivation to press down and do what I need to do to take those titles away. We're in New Zealand, Joseph is a Kiwi, I expect this, but you need a bit of common sense and look at the background of the guys he has been fighting. It doesn't take a scientist to figure it out. He's never fought anyone like me. I feel great, I'm on my game, I've trained hard."

Parker's trainer Kevin Barry denied his fighter was putting pressure on himself by saying he would stop Williams, adding that he was gaining in firepower all the time.

"It's just a continuation development of skill and if you're going to move forward and be a real contender in the heavyweight division, and if we're going to be fighting top 10 opponents next year like we're talking about fighting, then it's very important Joe comes in prepared at a very high level of skill ... every training camp I introduce a little bit more.

"As far as where we are at - just remember we've been together for just over 18 months - personally I think Joe at the moment is about a five out of 10 in skill level. He has that much more room to develop and improve and as a coach that makes me very excited."