Boxing: Parker relaxes as he gets a day to himself

Joseph Parker signs autographs for fans. Photo / photosport.nz

Early this morning, when Andy Ruiz Jr is scheduled to arrive in Auckland, Joseph Parker will probably be sound asleep, a rare respite from his six o'clock training runs the other six days of the week.

Today is a day of rest, his last before his world heavyweight title fight against Ruiz at Vector Arena on Saturday. His only plans are to attend church with his family and have a massage. It's a deserved break from a hectic schedule of training, media interviews, promotional activities and sponsors' functions.

Parker, 24, has been busy every day since he arrived from his Las Vegas base nine days ago. He told the Herald on Sunday that he was "shattered" by the time he got into bed and was falling asleep almost immediately.

His commitment comes as no surprise, and an added benefit is that it has made time pass quickly as his night of destiny approaches.

"It's going the way I expected," said Parker. "For me in Las Vegas, I visualised the schedule and how busy it was going to be ...

"I'm not shocked by anything that's come up because I've already seen it happen in my head.

"They're keeping me busy so it makes time fly. I like keeping busy but I also like time to myself, even if it's for five or 10 minutes.

"With each fight, there are always commitments, always a busy schedule. It's not much different from the other fights. There's a little extra to do, but I guess we've been busy trying to adapt to a busy schedule."

Parker feels settled and on familiar territory in his usual downtown Auckland hotel with parents Sala and Dempsey in a room across the corridor. The big unknown is how Mexican Ruiz will react to the attention in an unfamiliar country once he arrives from Los Angeles.

Parker's promoters Duco Events have organised a kapa haka welcome for Ruiz, an event probably designed as much to create a media splash as to underline the fact he is entering Parker's home turf.

The 27-year-old appears a shy, simple character and has fought mainly on undercards during his 29-fight professional career, although he has appeared on a few Manny Pacquiao cards, and has fought twice in Macau.

On the other hand, Parker has been headlining cards since he was a 21-year-old when, in his sixth professional fight, he knocked out veteran Francois Botha, a devastating display of brutality and composure which underlined his talent.

"To start at an early age headlining your own card, it's not normal," he said. "That's prepared me for where I am now.

"He's probably headlined a few cards, but I'm not sure if he's used to it."

Ruiz delayed his arrival in order to travel with trainer Abel Sanchez, but it leaves him little time to acclimatise.

"Personally, I think he should have come a little earlier. But maybe I'm wrong, maybe he's done his research ... but there's always that question - he's never been down here before, and it's a question of whether he's done his research and if he has full trust in his team.

"I'm not sure he's used to the media attention. He's been in some big fights, but I'm not sure if the media has been full-on.

"I love talking to people. I'm not sure - I think he's a little shy. We'll see early on if it's affecting him."

The first time Parker is likely to see Ruiz is at their press conference on Thursday, and the weigh-in the next day will give another indication as to not only Ruiz's physical condition but his mental state.

The traditional stare-down will be the pair's final opportunity to test each other's mettle before they fight.

"It's seeing who can crack first," Parker said. "It's important to get a proper stare-down in. A lot of fighters end up throwing punches because they're so intense.

"He's made some comments about being in there to provide food for his kids and the fact I'm trying to take it away from him. Inside the ring, we have to work, but outside it, we're both respectful athletes and I think it's important to balance respect and aggression."