Wynne Gray: Kiwi fight fans in Joseph Parker's corner

Joseph Parker during a training session. Photo / photosport.nz

All power to Joseph Parker and his shot at the world heavyweight boxing title.

It's been a while since the nation climbed through the ropes with David Tua and went the distance but flailed to a unanimous points defeat against Lennox Lewis.

New Zealand and the Pacific Islands willed Tua on but the bout was a fizzer, a physical mismatch in Nevada in 2000 as the taller, experienced Lewis circled and jabbed his frustrated shorter opponent.

Before that you might include Jimmy Peau's 1993 bout, although he fought as the Australian contender. Then you go way back to Tom Heeney in 1926 and Bob Fitzsimmons in 1897 to find the Kiwi connections to heavyweight battles.

As much as we are gripped by the America's Cup when it's sailed, we will walk to the ring with Parker to see whether he can extend his 24-0 record and make someone who backed him with $10,000 an even wealthier supporter.

Maybe it was Sir Bob Jones or a collective investment from a few others because with respect to those who follow boxing in this country, there does not appear to be a deep pool of specialist knowledge about the fight game.

There's a broad understanding about the contest and a nationalist passion for Parker to perform strongly but in comparison to our perception and judgment about rugby, league, cricket and netball, we're TKO'd when it comes to boxing.

We're immersed in other sports for large chunks of the year and with information and updates available in daily doses, those who are drawn to those codes can debate at length with their mates on the merits and drawbacks of players, coaches, tactics and the administration.

Boxing, like the America's Cup or the Winter Olympics, is a drive-by fascination, an occasional glimpse into another sporting world where those who follow that genre tune in with their optimism. There is plenty of that for Parker's title shot on April 1 in Cardiff and why not?

He matches up well in the physical numbers, he has worked his way through six seasons in the pro ranks, and has found a training niche alongside Kevin Barry and brought a calm authority about his business.

Parker has weathered an ownership fissure and while his boss David Higgins has gone off-piste in public a few times, that's small beer for an industry which deals in barrels of bulls***.

Outwardly Parker copes with all of that then heads into the gym or the ring where he does his work. When he agrees we see him spar, nod approvingly at his toned frame or speed on the bag and listen to the thoughts of some of his training opponents and the relentless theories from trainer Kevin Barry. It's much the same from the Joshua camp and his men who have worked through the deals for this unification bout.

Both fighters are in great condition but we don't have any idea what's going on between their ears. Are they utterly convinced they have covered all the bases for this bout?

In a team sport like rugby flaws can be camouflaged but there's nowhere to hide in the ring if something is askew.

The corner men can change the instructions and deal to cuts and bruises at three-minute intervals but Joshua and Parker are on their own after the bell.

They have to work through their plans and their pain, they have to hold their shape, counter new methods, push through the uncertainty or strike when the chance comes.

From outside the ropes it's brutal enough while inside it's going to be a world of pain or pleasure.