Boxing: Parker must meet expectations

Joseph Parker weighed in more than five kilograms lighter than Daniel Martz. Photo / Dean Purcell

Expectations are high for unbeaten Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker to deliver a clinical performance in his Fight for Life match-up with American Daniel Martz in Hamilton tomorrow night.

New world champion Tyson Fury's stunning upset win over former champion Wladimir Klitschko last Sunday has given the heavyweight division a much-needed shot of adrenaline, and brought increased scrutiny upon Parker as one of the world's leading title challengers.

Since defeating Kali Meehan with a third round TKO in Auckland in October, the normally humble and modest 23-year-old South Aucklander has spoken confidently about his title hopes and ambitions.

Earlier this week Parker stated he was capable of taking on any heavyweight in the world, and anything less than a resounding victory over Martz would severely diminish those claims and set him back in the eyes of an increasingly growing and captivated public audience.

The pair faced off at today's weigh-in at Claudelands Arena with the 1.93m Parker clocking in at 107.6kg and the 2.03m Martz registering 113.1kg.

Much has been said out of Parker's camp about needing to expose him to bigger fighters, with Martz - nicknamed 'The Mountain' - the tallest he has faced in his 16 fight career (14 knockouts).

Trainer Kevin Barry is confident his young charge is ready to raise his game in the ring and expects him to demonstrate the growth and progress in his development and technique tomorrow night.

"I've kept it pretty simple but there are three or four things that we've added to the skill set that I've actually been working on all year that I really want to see come to fruition," said Barry.

"Joe knows what they are and I've put separate challenges to him for this fight.

"There's a couple of punches that he possesses in his arsenal that we haven't seen on display and I'm dying to see them be executed."

Plenty of intrigue surrounds how Parker will cope against Martz's long reach and brawling style and he is welcoming the chance to be tested and believes he is prepared for all scenarios.

"I've been practising with Kevin on what we need to work on and I've watched his fights on the net, and seen his weaknesses and his strengths, so I know how to approach what he's going to bring," said Parker.

"If I had a fighter who was just going to come in for me to practise on, I wouldn't learn much, but he's come here to win and it's going to make it an interesting fight."

Duco Boxing promoter Dean Lonergan shares the confidence held by Parker and Barry that he is ready to step up and take on the world's best, saying a title shot could be attainable within the next year.

"Joseph would go very well against Wladimir Klitschko or Tyson Fury," said Lonergan. "We'd be very confident if we could get a fight with either of those guys in the next 12 months we'd probably take it.

"At the end of the day I always bow to Kevin's expertise, and he's saying what he saw last Sunday, that nothing scares him."

The night begins with three celebrity bouts with X-factor judge and I Am Giant drummer Shelton Woolright facing TV3 Newsworthy reporter Jesse Peach, and former Silver Fern Irene van Dyk squaring off with Napier accountant Belinda Sommerville, before Bachelor NZ reality show star Art Green takes on former All Black winger Zac Guildford.

The fourth corporate fight pits Dave 'Brown Butterbean' Letele against Loni 'The Tongan Bear' Uhila, after which Parker's training partner and stablemate Izu Ugonoh will clash against Mexico's Vicente Sandez.

Prior to the main event, Australian welterweight Jeff 'Hornet' Horn will take on Frenchman Ahmed El Mousaoui.