By Duncan Johnstone
Fitness freak Anthony Joshua has revealed the size of the task in front of Joseph Parker if the New Zealand heavyweight wants to take the British boxer's IBF world title.
Joshua makes the first defence of his title against unbeaten American Dominic Breazeale in London on June 25.
The champion is expected to extend his run of 16 consecutive knockouts since turning professional in the wake of wining the Olympic gold medal at home in 2012.
Renowned for his power and fitness, Joshua released a short training clip on his Twitter account on Wednesday (NZ time), showing the sort of work he does to keep his body so sculptured.
Heavy lifting, core work and agility skills are displayed by the ripped Joshua.
The 26-year-old is heading the new wave of heavyweights who parade six-pack stomachs to help fuel their fighting skills.
Parker prides himself on his own body and is working extra hard to add muscle and shape to his fighting form with evidence of that in his appearance against Carlos Takam last Saturday, where he beat the Cameroon fighter over 12 gruelling rounds to earn the IBF's mandatory right to fight Joshua.
Parker is thrilled at the prospect of taking on Joshua, despite giving away size and reach.
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Parker's next opponent, Australian Solomon Haumono, was confirmed on Tuesday with a July 21 clash in Christchurch slotted in to keep him busy as he awaits his title shot.
Parker continues to snare headlines in the UK as interest grows in the 24-year-old New Zealander.
He was interviewed by Sky Sports UK about the Haumono fight but the subject quickly switched to taking on Joshua.
Parker didn't back down.
"To challenge someone like Joshua who is also a strong and young fighter - it's going to be exciting, two young fighters who are at their peak, going for it. It's going to be a great war," Parker told Sky Sports UK.
"I believe it will be a great fight. He brings power and good build and I bring speed and power. When the fight happens, everyone should tune in, because it's going to be an exciting fight. I believe it will be very exciting."
While Parker revealed he battled elbow issues in the leadup to the Takam fight that he felt hampered his punching power, he promised to be in tip-top shape for Joshua.
"I back myself 100 percent with any fighter I jump in the ring with and I know I'll be ready. I'll do everything I can to be in the best shape I can be in."
It looks increasingly likely that Parker will appear on a Joshua undercard in London later in the year with British promoter Eddie Hearn eager to introduce him first-hand to the British market ahead of the mandatory title challenge.
Parker is excited at the prospect of a fight at London's O2 Arena which is rapidly becoming Joshua's fortress.
"Very interested in fighting in The O2. I actually look forward to being in the UK and displaying what we have. There has been great support for us, we get messages of support," Parker said.
And the trash talk from Dillian Whyte, another British heavyweight cast aside by Joshua, wasn't lost on Parker.
Whyte watched Parker battle his way past Takam to set up a title shot and wasn't impressed, believing he would beat the Kiwi.
Parker's handlers have to use clever match-making skills as they look to keep their man meaningfully busy while waiting for the title fight, though without huge risks of losing as that would strip him of the mandatory rights.
"We'll just sit down as a team and discuss the best options or the best opponents that we can have," Parker said.
"Dillian Whyte, I saw his fight with Joshua, and I saw him calling me out. These things happen and it makes it more exciting."