Joseph Parker Confident of Handling Mental Pressure as Champ

Joseph Parker is confident he has the temperament and support network around him to handle the outside pressures of the world title scenario that have contributed to the sad and spectacular meltdown of world champion Tyson Fury.

Fury's extraordinary admissions of alcohol and cocaine abuse in the aftermath of his defeat of long-serving champion Wladimir Klitschko have given plenty of understanding to the eccentric Brit's absence from the ring for almost a year, a situation that looks certain to see him stripped of his WBA, IBO and WBO belts.

Parker is likely to be a major benefactor with his handlers targeting a vacated WBO by staging a world title fight in New Zealand against Mexican Andy Ruiz.

New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker has a steely determination to go with his relaxed demeanor as bigger fights and riches beckon.

Parker also has mandatory rights to challenge for the IBF belt held by Britain's Anthony Joshua. 

The 24-year-old is right in the mix with the opportunities bringing with them the prospect of millions of dollars and global attention.

Parker has ties to Fury through a social media friendship and was also invited to train with him ahead of his victory over Klitschko.

He has been saddened by Fury's demise, the latest casualty in a long list of boxers to have fallen foul after making their name and riches.

"Tyson Fury has been good to me on social media and has reached out a few times," Parker said.

"I think all these things that are happening in his personal life ... people go through trials and things in life. But hey, this is boxing."

Asked about his abilities to handle the looming pressures, Parker said: "I'm confident. Up to this stage, it has been all good. I have a good support team behind me and I feel like this team will keep me grounded and keep me on the right path."

Parker's advisers include his parents Dempsey and Sala as managers, accountant Bruce Sheppard for financial guidance and former Supreme Court judge Bill Wilson for legal advice. He also has respected former lawyer, international sportsman and sports administrator Martin Snedden available as Duco Events' group chief executive, and the boxing nous of veteran trainer Kevin Barry.

Dean Lonergan, Parker's promoter along with David Higgins, said they had spelled out the external dangers to Parker when they took him on four years ago – learning to live with media attention and coping with money.

"Joseph right now is in line for some very significant pay days and will probably become one of the wealthiest, if not the wealthiest, 24-year-olds in this country," Lonergan said.

"Joseph fortunately has fantastic parents and a great team around him to cope with these things."

Parker said he would have to put aside any friendships with Fury to fight for a vacated belt and wasn't affected by the thought of that WBO belt being tarnished by the current controversy.

"It does hurt the sport, but I think it's just for him to deal with. His personal life doesn't matter to me, all I have to focus on is the boxing," Parker said.

Lonergan also felt for the larger than life character but said Fury was "dumb" for combining drugs and alcohol with his mental condition.

They had to put that aside and make the most of this situation.

"He has put himself in this position and it would be remise of me as a promoter of Joseph Parker not to chase hard after an opporutnity that presents itself. We aren't taking advantage of anyone's misery. He (Fury) has put himself in this position and it's up to us to do what is in the interests of Joseph Parker," Lonergan said.

"I look at Tyson Fury and I go, I wish that wasn't happening to him, because I think he's good for the sport. But there is no one to blame but Tyson."

Parker heads to Las Vegas on Sunday to start his next training camp. That would involve gym and fitness work initially while they waited to find out his next opponent. They would then look at suitable sparring partners for skill work.

It was frustrating but that was the nature of the game.

"It's just boxing. There are always these things happening in the background, you have to be patient. I will train, keep fit and see what comes our way."

Parker reiterated his preference to fight Ruiz for the WBO belt in New Zealand.

"We'd like to host  the fight. If the opportunity does arise to fight for the world heavyweight championship, I'd take it in a heartbeat. I'd love it to be here," Parker said.

There were encouraging developments in Britain overnight with Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn suggesting a fight between his man and Klitschko was now "70-30" likely to happen in November or December.

Hearn also seemed to be backing away from his earlier stance that the WBO belt would be up for grabs along with the IBF, IBO and WBA.

Lonergan, with the aid of Ruiz's legendary promoter Bob Arum, has maintained Parker, as the WBO's No 1 had first rights to that vacant belt. And if No2 Klitschko was busy fighting Joshua, then Ruiz was the next man to join Parker in a title fight.

Asked why Hearn appeared to be leaving the WBO belt out of his equation now, Lonergan said: "I think Eddie knows we might have trumped him."