Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker: Brit claims he won’t shake ‘disrespectful’ rival’s hand
Undefeated pair’s historic clash has been confirmed for March 31 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium
ANTHONY JOSHUA will refuse to shake the hand of “disrespectful” Joseph Parker after their heavyweight unification fight this spring.
The undefeated pair’s clash was yesterday confirmed for March 31 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
They will make fight history as it will be the first time that two heavyweight world champions have met in Britain.
Parker’s WBO title and Joshua’s IBF and WBA crowns are on the line. And it promises to be a classic match-up between two young, fast, undefeated belt holders.
But Parker has caused bad blood in the AJ camp by suggesting he would “smash Joshua’s glass chin to bits”.
Asked about Parker’s comments, Joshua, 28, said: “I haven’t seen them all but I’ve heard some of them.
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“In sports, you’ve got the likes of Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Lewis Hamilton, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and LeBron James — then you’ve got people like Joseph Parker.
“He’s not a respectable type of person, he can’t control himself.
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“But that’s just how it is. You’ve got to accept people for who they are.
“If that’s how he wants to plan his shot, we let him crack on.
“He’ll be respectful after I whoop him. He might try to shake my hand. I won’t shake his hand, though.”
Watford star AJ is undefeated in his 20 professional bouts but Parker has vowed to ruin his career and believes he has the tools to unify the division.
The Kiwi, 26, who arrived at Heathrow from New Zealand yesterday, has won 18 of his 24 professional bouts inside the distance.
He said: “I can do a lot of damage to AJ. It’s time.
“It’s about who trains the hardest and who wants it more. Our undefeated records are on the line. May the best champion win.
“If I didn’t back myself or believe in myself, I wouldn’t be here. I am not scared of AJ.
“When we come together, we will throw some big bombs and someone will be knocked out.
“A couple of months ago I heard him say, ‘Why should I be worried about this little kid from New Zealand?’
“Well, now he’s about to find out. And the world is about to find out whether AJ can really take a punch.
“My entire existence is now devoted to proving what the boxing world already knows.”