A few days ago, trainer Rob McCracken discussed his plan to ensure that his star fighter, Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs), would be lighter for his next contest.

Joshua was a career-high 254-pounds when he retained his IBF, IBO, WBA heavyweight titles last October with a tenth round stoppage of Carlos Takam. In the later stages of the fight, Joshua appeared to slow down, he looked tired and was breathing hard.

The next fight for him is likely world title unification with WBO world champion Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KOs), on March 31 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

Parker's trainer, Kevin Barry, has the same strategy in mind.

He would like to see his boxer as much as 14-pounds lighter for the upcoming contest. Parker was 245-pounds for last September's decision win over Hughie Fury. The weight was the third highest of Parker's career.

Barry wants Parker to be in the 230-235-pound range - to ensure he has the proper mobility for Joshua.

It's obvious that Barry does not want Parker to stand right in front of Joshua, and will likely have his fighter on the move while looking to counter Joshua - who is usually a come forward puncher with plenty of aggression.

"I can't speak for Anthony Joshua, but I can speak for Joseph Parker, and yes we'll come in lighter for this fight," Barry told Sky Sports. "I think it's very important that Joe is very fast on his feet and very mobile in this fight against Joshua.

"You never really can tell what sort of weight [Joshua is] going to be, but I know Joseph Parker will definitely be coming in a little lighter than he was for the Hughie Fury fight. We've been planning for this day. We've been thinking about this fight, we've been visualising Joe in the ring with Joshua. The styles of these guys match up very, very well."