Boxing: Joseph Parker straight into fight mode in London

Joseph Parker. Photo www.photosport.nz

Joseph Parker has wasted no time getting into fight mode after his arrival in London.

Hours after arriving at Gatwick Airport for his world heavyweight title unification bout with Anthony Joshua in a fortnight, Parker was training in a gym with Kevin Barry before attending a night of boxing in Bethnal Green, east London, where he saw heavyweight hope Joe Joyce win with a first-round knockout.

Joyce, who knocked out American opponent Donnie Palmer in 38 seconds, is promoted by David Haye, with whom the Parker camp get on well, and Haye had some good things to say about Kiwi Parker in a television interview at ringside.

"Parker has a granite chin," Haye said. "None of Joshua's opponents can claim to have a granite chin. He's unbeaten, young, and with big power."

Parker made a splash at the York Hall, with undercard fighter Tunji Ogunniya, a super welterweight, saying: "When I heard Joseph Parker was here watching me it added more pressure."

Parker had his picture taken with Haye and fellow Englishman Joyce, 32, a silver medallist at the 2016 Olympics, and the New Zealander's weight loss after a tough training camp and diet is clear to see.

The Champion Effect! @mrdavidhaye, @JoeJoyce_1 and WBO Heavyweight World Champion @joeboxerparker make quite the trio. Not long now. Watch Joyce v Palmer live on @channel5_tv at 10.30pm. pic.twitter.com/4F0TbJ64im

— Hayemaker Boxing (@HayemakerBoxing) March 17, 2018

The 26-year-old, dubbed the "King of Pies" by talkshow host Graham Norton, looks extremely lean for his big challenge against Joshua at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on April 1 NZT.

Trainer Barry said on arrival in London that Parker would have a good week of training before tapering off next week.

"We're going to be in the gym in about two hours' time today for about an hour and a half getting a good sweat up," Barry told Sky Sports UK.

"We'll hit the ground running on Monday. The first week back here will be a good solid week for us before a tapering off phase. Next week will be about staying mentally and physically sharp.

"We've had a great camp, Joe is in a good mind-space at the moment. I'm very happy with what he's showing me. We come here with a lot of confidence."

Parker said: "I'm young, fast, strong, my movement is good. I have a great team behind me, I have a nation behind me – two nations – and I'm going to represent, so that's what I have."

Haye, who has loaned his London gym to Parker while he is in the city, is preparing for his re-match against Tony Bellew on May 5.

The fight was originally to be held in December but was postponed due to Haye suffering a biceps injury. Haye lost the first fight by a dramatic stoppage during which he was hindered by an Achilles injury and said his tactics were all wrong after Bellew got under his skin.

Parker, asked if there was a lesson there for him, said: "I just have to listen to my team, follow my plan, execute it well, and then come out with the victory."