Boxing: Parker takes 'smart fighting' strategy into bout against Brazilian

After attempting to pummel the human equivalent of a cannonball in Sherman Williams' last time out, Joseph Parker and his camp are quietly looking forward to fighting a big man in Irineu Beato Costa Junior tonight.

Costa Junior, who yesterday tipped the scales at 115.40kg, will take to the Claudelands Arena ring for the main event of the Fight for Life card more than 10kg heavier than Parker, who weighed in at 104.50kg.

The Brazilian, who is a similar height to Parker, will - unlike the defensive Williams - come forward, but not in a particularly threatening manner if his last fight in October, a points loss to Christian Hammer in Germany, is any indication.

It was only his first defeat in 16 professional fights but it was extremely comprehensive - he was second best in all of the 12 rounds.

Costa Junior will present Parker with a big and relatively cumbersome target, and although the 22-year-old New Zealander will be wary of his opponent's powerful right hand, it will be a good opportunity for him to put together some potentially damaging combinations, particularly to the body.

One of his shortcomings in his points victory over Williams in Auckland in October was his failure to go to the Bahamas fighter's body until about midway through the 10-round fight. Williams, a wily and durable veteran, was able to roll with the punches until Parker started making inroads with his body shots and the plan for tonight is to start that way.

"Costa Junior offers a bigger target than Sherman did," Parker said. "The plan is to go into the fight and start working the body and slow him down. I've been working on a big body game for this fight so hopefully I'm able to nail that."

Parker was outspoken in his aim to become only the second man to stop Williams, something he couldn't quite achieve at Henderson's Trusts Arena last time out, but on the eve of his 12th professional bout there was a more philosophical message, albeit one with a sting in the tail.

"For me it's just about going in there and boxing smartly," he said. "If it goes the distance, it goes the distance but I feel I have the power to stop any heavyweight."

Williams was adamant after his unanimous points defeat that the decision was wrong, but there is unlikely to be a similar reaction from Costa Junior should the judges go against him.

Asked yesterday whether he thought he would win, Costa Junior said via an interpreter that he would prefer simply to state that he would be trying his best for victory.

After five fights in eight months, Parker's thoughts are already turning to his planned holiday in Samoa but trainer Kevin Barry yesterday stressed the necessity for improvement and the need to finish the year on a high.

Meanwhile, former All Black Carlos Spencer weighed in at a trim 84.30kg for his professional cruiserweight fight against Monty Betham in the main undercard bout. Spencer, who played 35 tests at first-five, weighed about 95kg during his rugby career. Betham tipped the scales at 88.60kg.