February 20, 2025 • 10 mins
Plans for a step up in intensity for heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker when he challenges IBF champion Daniel Dubois in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
The Kiwi-Samoan will look to become a two-time world champion, after capturing the WBO title back in 2016.
Parker says he'll need to play it smart against Dubois.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from news Talk zed Be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And it's well welcome to the program. To Joe Parker
aka Explosive Joseph Jurassic Parker, very close to fight night.
Thanks so much for joining us. Joe, how's the tension
in the camp? How's your mental space right now? Ahead
of the Dubois scrap?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
You know, the energy in the camp is relaxed, calm
and happy. And I think the reason why I said
this and the approach if you're going to the flights
relaxed and calm because of all the work that we've done,
and when you've done the work, it also works on
your mental side of things. You know, when you've ticked
all the boxes, you've eaten well, you've trained good, you've
(00:50):
rested good, you've said spent good time with the family,
and there's great balance in life going to the flight.
There's no real worries, there's no real doubts. It's just
about gathering all this energy that we're spending in camp
and putting it all on fight mate.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
On Saturday night, you've changed it hours some what you're
waking up getting out of bed very late and going
to bed at some ridiculous hour in the morning to
tune yourself for fight night. How long does it take
to get used to that brand new rhythm? You know what?
Speaker 3 (01:19):
We have been here for about two and a half
weeks now, and as soon as we've got here, we
were straight onto that schedule, which is sleeping around six am,
waking up at one pm, breakfast at two pm. So
the whole day is shifted for the three weeks that
we've been here. And I think that when it's flight
time and we're fighting around twelve for eady one o'clock
in the morning, well primed and ready for that time.
(01:41):
And I guess it's worked for us in the past,
and that's why we're doing it again.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
What about other things that have worked for you in
the past. We know that i'd say a change box
a bit a much more mature box are now both
physically mentally and your tactics too. But is anything tweaked
over the last couple of years that you would like
to either carry on with or maybe upskill if you
will ahead of this, because you've been pretty inactive for
quite a while. I think it was bang was the
(02:06):
last time you fought.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Joe in activity and then you fix you. I think,
if you're not living your life, and I probably I
probably listen, it's probably God's plan to give me your
rest so I don't get injured. You know, I was
busy the year before that, having five fights in nearly
a year. So yes, I didn't want to take this
long break, but I was sort of forced to because
there are no fights and no opportunities. But it probably
(02:28):
gave me a bit of rest and my body to recover,
and it's been able to be able to work on combinations, technique,
work on endurance, work on you know, just strength, and
because there's many things I've been able to work on
our time off. And a lot of people worry about
ring rust, but I don't. I don't worry too much
(02:50):
about it. I think I've been living a life where
I've just stayed in shape and worked on all these
things and working on perfecting our game plan.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
You're pacing Joe in your last couple of fights has
been top notch. You've not been in a hurry, You've
not been boxing a reactive man that if you will,
you appear to be marching to the beat of your
own jum that that won't change, would I do?
Speaker 3 (03:13):
You know what this fight, I really have to left
my game though for this fighting Daniel to buy the
champion of the world, who you know, is very confident
in himself, and I think with these results that he's gotten,
he's going to come full of confidence be me, you know,
be me and wanting to prove that he is the
champion of the world. But compared to Jang and Wilder,
(03:34):
he throws a lot more punches and he phraws a
lot of them, nearly all of them with power. So
I definitely have to lift my game for this one
and really be on point when I'm in the ring.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
So is it a case of just like not getting hit?
I mean your defensive game.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Listen, that's yeah, It's it's that easy, like hit and
don't get hit. It's easy to say thing done, though,
you know, when you've got some ferocious guy chasing you
down the ring, every corner, to every bit of rope
and he's just trying to smash you up. But the
thing is with this fight, if I let him have
his way, it's going to be an easy knight for him.
But I need to give him something to show some
(04:07):
respect and I need to remind him that it's not
really an easy fight or walk over fighter. This is
a tough thing for you.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
You've been playing an interesting mental game. Joe Parker is
Dubai has been talking about reunification. This is a couple
of weeks back now, and you're like, hey, you've got
to fight right in front of you. If I was you,
I'd focus on that. I'm presuming the carrying along on
the same line, very calm, but saying, don't get ahead
of yourself, mate, This is a serious.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Scrapes and is a serious scrap Anything can happen in boxing.
But do you know in boxing they're always trying to
you know, they're always trying to match up other fighters
for the future and match up and the bigger fights.
You know. But it's very important to look at the
in front of you and focus on that because if
you don't get this right, or me, me or him,
If we don't get this right, there's no point thinking
about what're talking about future fights. So the time is now.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
You said he's going to deliver a lot, He's going
to have a high hurt rate. Do you expect to
take it to him? I not stand back. Are you
going to get to the middle of the ring and
dance with the blow.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Yeah, but you have to do it in a smart way.
You can't stand there in exchange because he does pund
a lot of power and you don't want to get caught,
you know, slipping. I think it's just about being being present,
being deliberate and making good movements, but not running away,
if you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
It's a big card. There's a lot of good fights
on it, and I expect the world's media very much
focused on yourself and Daniel and all of the other
fighters too. How's that been in the focus? You've been
to Saudi Arabian riard before, but you really are the superheroes,
aren't you? Of this big event? Is that easy to
deal with now you've done it a few times before
(05:47):
the intense attention.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Yeah, you know what, Once you've done it, you've done it.
Like once you've done it once, you can do it again.
And yes, it's nice to be back in Saudi Arabia
because we've had great success here in the last three
places that we've had here, and it's familiar. Were very
familiar myself, and it's familiar with this place and it
served us. Right, he's in the last three. So it's
nice we're here, like I said, for the last two
(06:09):
and a half weeks, we've settled and gone on a
good program and just ready ready to go out to
employ them a good performance and give it my best shot.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
You sound very calm, Joe, and that to me is
a very positive sign. But this is something you've learned
over time that you can't get too carried away. You
don't want to fight your fight before you fought it.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Oh yeah, you don't want to listen. You don't want
to waste any energy being too hyped up or trying
all fighting to fight in your mind or fighting it
just thinking about it all the time. I mean, the
fight's there and it will happen, and it will come
very soon in the next few days. So it just
got to I mean, I think I've been able to
have a lot of fights where I think I've gained
the experience now staying calme, saying come before a fight,
(06:54):
just letting it all happen when it's s.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
What are the holes and Daniel Dubois, Are there any
gaps in his defense? Are there any tendencies that he
has that you might be able to exploit because you
would have done a lot of work on tape. Right.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Yeah, he's got a really good double jab and again
he's he's a basic fighter, but he does it basics
very well. And if you let him dictate, if you
let him start off with double jab and follow through
with all these other combinations and punches that he throws,
and it'll give him more confidence in the ring and
you'll keep pushing forward until he catches you clean. So
it's about being deliberate but also countering when he's taking
(07:31):
his shots. If you look for your openings when he's
taking his shots, well.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Joe Joyce just keep punching him in the eye and
eventually it followed up and he just couldn't see and
he couldn't fight. So maybe you won't want to target
his eye.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Again. Easy, Like I mean, Joey Joyce is a tough,
tough man of height and reach, and but as that
is a good plan. And even you, I mean, you
give him a lot of different things to look so
ok at, you know, with the foot work, with the faints,
with the hand movements. So I think it's a number
of things or a variety of things that have to
work on in this fight to get the victory.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
You don't want to take too much information on board
because I'm sure everybody Joe Parker has got some advice
in one shape or form. But you're going to look
to your training, your nutritionist, and the light first and foremost.
But what about someone like Tyson Fury? Are you a
great mate worth a huge amount of experience in the
ring at this level. Have you sought in the advice
or counsel with him?
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Yeah? He just said, God there it's smashing and I said,
do you know what, Sayson, I shall do that. That's
my plan. He's always he's always been very supportive Tyson,
and he's been checking in, sending videos in your messages.
So there's always a beautiful thing to get that support
from the Bee Gypsy King.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
The fight itself is going to be on the zone.
It's a design appeared to be taking over boxing, don't they,
And they've got such a broad spread. When you actually
get on their site, you can watch so many fights.
See you spend much time just like zoning out and
watching a bit of boxing for your own entertainment.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Joe, No, really, you know what we've been doing. We've
been cleaning table tennis. So we've been playing poker. We've
been just chilling out, having chants, telling jokes and just
playing music and having a bit of fun. It's not
really had the time to watch TV because we're just
we're out on the belt and doing things, you know,
just to stay calm and stay relaxed, and just to
keep their great energy flowing in the camp.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
And you said, and finally before I spend some time
with family if you've got the final over there, Joe.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
The family's back in New Zealand, but they were able
to be in camp on me in Ireland for about
four weeks, and that was the most beautiful. I think
the best camp I've had, because I ever see the
merry day after training and after hard days of work,
just hanging out for a few hours, hold my kids
and then you know, hang out with my wife and
just have a good time with the family. It's not great.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
There's not a small case. I I told you so
now that you're challenging for a world title a game,
when so many people wrote you off for so long,
called you a journeyman. Is it a wee bit of
a thought pattern in the back of your mind or.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
No, I do what it is. I just want to
prove to myself because I when I had those tough
times and odd times and boxing my boxing career and
everyone who comes to me once I shall finish, I
want it to prove because I knew deep downe and
say that I could be one of the best in
the world. And this is the proofs for myself that
I belong at the top. So there's not so much
like look what I look what I can do now,
and look where I'm at. It's more me going you
(10:22):
know what, I'm going to do my best and give
it everything I have while I'm in boxing.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
You're your own harshest critic without a doubt. Dezone have
got the fight pay per you get amongst it's a
huge card. Joe Parker, as always, thanks for taking the
time and making the time for us here at News
Talk ZB so close, so close to fight night. Hugely appreciated. Mate.
You get up there and bang.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Let's get it on. Let's bang bang bang.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from news Talk zed Be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And it's well welcome to the program. To Joe Parker
aka Explosive Joseph Jurassic Parker, very close to fight night.
Thanks so much for joining us. Joe, how's the tension
in the camp? How's your mental space right now? Ahead
of the Dubois scrap?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
You know, the energy in the camp is relaxed, calm
and happy. And I think the reason why I said
this and the approach if you're going to the flights
relaxed and calm because of all the work that we've done,
and when you've done the work, it also works on
your mental side of things. You know, when you've ticked
all the boxes, you've eaten well, you've trained good, you've
(00:50):
rested good, you've said spent good time with the family,
and there's great balance in life going to the flight.
There's no real worries, there's no real doubts. It's just
about gathering all this energy that we're spending in camp
and putting it all on fight mate.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
On Saturday night, you've changed it hours some what you're
waking up getting out of bed very late and going
to bed at some ridiculous hour in the morning to
tune yourself for fight night. How long does it take
to get used to that brand new rhythm? You know what?
Speaker 3 (01:19):
We have been here for about two and a half
weeks now, and as soon as we've got here, we
were straight onto that schedule, which is sleeping around six am,
waking up at one pm, breakfast at two pm. So
the whole day is shifted for the three weeks that
we've been here. And I think that when it's flight
time and we're fighting around twelve for eady one o'clock
in the morning, well primed and ready for that time.
(01:41):
And I guess it's worked for us in the past,
and that's why we're doing it again.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
What about other things that have worked for you in
the past. We know that i'd say a change box
a bit a much more mature box are now both
physically mentally and your tactics too. But is anything tweaked
over the last couple of years that you would like
to either carry on with or maybe upskill if you
will ahead of this, because you've been pretty inactive for
quite a while. I think it was bang was the
(02:06):
last time you fought.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Joe in activity and then you fix you. I think,
if you're not living your life, and I probably I
probably listen, it's probably God's plan to give me your
rest so I don't get injured. You know, I was
busy the year before that, having five fights in nearly
a year. So yes, I didn't want to take this
long break, but I was sort of forced to because
there are no fights and no opportunities. But it probably
(02:28):
gave me a bit of rest and my body to recover,
and it's been able to be able to work on combinations, technique,
work on endurance, work on you know, just strength, and
because there's many things I've been able to work on
our time off. And a lot of people worry about
ring rust, but I don't. I don't worry too much
(02:50):
about it. I think I've been living a life where
I've just stayed in shape and worked on all these
things and working on perfecting our game plan.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
You're pacing Joe in your last couple of fights has
been top notch. You've not been in a hurry, You've
not been boxing a reactive man that if you will,
you appear to be marching to the beat of your
own jum that that won't change, would I do?
Speaker 3 (03:13):
You know what this fight, I really have to left
my game though for this fighting Daniel to buy the
champion of the world, who you know, is very confident
in himself, and I think with these results that he's gotten,
he's going to come full of confidence be me, you know,
be me and wanting to prove that he is the
champion of the world. But compared to Jang and Wilder,
(03:34):
he throws a lot more punches and he phraws a
lot of them, nearly all of them with power. So
I definitely have to lift my game for this one
and really be on point when I'm in the ring.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
So is it a case of just like not getting hit?
I mean your defensive game.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Listen, that's yeah, It's it's that easy, like hit and
don't get hit. It's easy to say thing done, though,
you know, when you've got some ferocious guy chasing you
down the ring, every corner, to every bit of rope
and he's just trying to smash you up. But the
thing is with this fight, if I let him have
his way, it's going to be an easy knight for him.
But I need to give him something to show some
(04:07):
respect and I need to remind him that it's not
really an easy fight or walk over fighter. This is
a tough thing for you.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
You've been playing an interesting mental game. Joe Parker is
Dubai has been talking about reunification. This is a couple
of weeks back now, and you're like, hey, you've got
to fight right in front of you. If I was you,
I'd focus on that. I'm presuming the carrying along on
the same line, very calm, but saying, don't get ahead
of yourself, mate, This is a serious.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Scrapes and is a serious scrap Anything can happen in boxing.
But do you know in boxing they're always trying to
you know, they're always trying to match up other fighters
for the future and match up and the bigger fights.
You know. But it's very important to look at the
in front of you and focus on that because if
you don't get this right, or me, me or him,
If we don't get this right, there's no point thinking
about what're talking about future fights. So the time is now.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
You said he's going to deliver a lot, He's going
to have a high hurt rate. Do you expect to
take it to him? I not stand back. Are you
going to get to the middle of the ring and
dance with the blow.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Yeah, but you have to do it in a smart way.
You can't stand there in exchange because he does pund
a lot of power and you don't want to get caught,
you know, slipping. I think it's just about being being present,
being deliberate and making good movements, but not running away,
if you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
It's a big card. There's a lot of good fights
on it, and I expect the world's media very much
focused on yourself and Daniel and all of the other
fighters too. How's that been in the focus? You've been
to Saudi Arabian riard before, but you really are the superheroes,
aren't you? Of this big event? Is that easy to
deal with now you've done it a few times before
(05:47):
the intense attention.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Yeah, you know what, Once you've done it, you've done it.
Like once you've done it once, you can do it again.
And yes, it's nice to be back in Saudi Arabia
because we've had great success here in the last three
places that we've had here, and it's familiar. Were very
familiar myself, and it's familiar with this place and it
served us. Right, he's in the last three. So it's
nice we're here, like I said, for the last two
(06:09):
and a half weeks, we've settled and gone on a
good program and just ready ready to go out to
employ them a good performance and give it my best shot.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
You sound very calm, Joe, and that to me is
a very positive sign. But this is something you've learned
over time that you can't get too carried away. You
don't want to fight your fight before you fought it.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Oh yeah, you don't want to listen. You don't want
to waste any energy being too hyped up or trying
all fighting to fight in your mind or fighting it
just thinking about it all the time. I mean, the
fight's there and it will happen, and it will come
very soon in the next few days. So it just
got to I mean, I think I've been able to
have a lot of fights where I think I've gained
the experience now staying calme, saying come before a fight,
(06:54):
just letting it all happen when it's s.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
What are the holes and Daniel Dubois, Are there any
gaps in his defense? Are there any tendencies that he
has that you might be able to exploit because you
would have done a lot of work on tape. Right.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Yeah, he's got a really good double jab and again
he's he's a basic fighter, but he does it basics
very well. And if you let him dictate, if you
let him start off with double jab and follow through
with all these other combinations and punches that he throws,
and it'll give him more confidence in the ring and
you'll keep pushing forward until he catches you clean. So
it's about being deliberate but also countering when he's taking
(07:31):
his shots. If you look for your openings when he's
taking his shots, well.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Joe Joyce just keep punching him in the eye and
eventually it followed up and he just couldn't see and
he couldn't fight. So maybe you won't want to target
his eye.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Again. Easy, Like I mean, Joey Joyce is a tough,
tough man of height and reach, and but as that
is a good plan. And even you, I mean, you
give him a lot of different things to look so
ok at, you know, with the foot work, with the faints,
with the hand movements. So I think it's a number
of things or a variety of things that have to
work on in this fight to get the victory.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
You don't want to take too much information on board
because I'm sure everybody Joe Parker has got some advice
in one shape or form. But you're going to look
to your training, your nutritionist, and the light first and foremost.
But what about someone like Tyson Fury? Are you a
great mate worth a huge amount of experience in the
ring at this level. Have you sought in the advice
or counsel with him?
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Yeah? He just said, God there it's smashing and I said,
do you know what, Sayson, I shall do that. That's
my plan. He's always he's always been very supportive Tyson,
and he's been checking in, sending videos in your messages.
So there's always a beautiful thing to get that support
from the Bee Gypsy King.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
The fight itself is going to be on the zone.
It's a design appeared to be taking over boxing, don't they,
And they've got such a broad spread. When you actually
get on their site, you can watch so many fights.
See you spend much time just like zoning out and
watching a bit of boxing for your own entertainment.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Joe, No, really, you know what we've been doing. We've
been cleaning table tennis. So we've been playing poker. We've
been just chilling out, having chants, telling jokes and just
playing music and having a bit of fun. It's not
really had the time to watch TV because we're just
we're out on the belt and doing things, you know,
just to stay calm and stay relaxed, and just to
keep their great energy flowing in the camp.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
And you said, and finally before I spend some time
with family if you've got the final over there, Joe.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
The family's back in New Zealand, but they were able
to be in camp on me in Ireland for about
four weeks, and that was the most beautiful. I think
the best camp I've had, because I ever see the
merry day after training and after hard days of work,
just hanging out for a few hours, hold my kids
and then you know, hang out with my wife and
just have a good time with the family. It's not great.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
There's not a small case. I I told you so
now that you're challenging for a world title a game,
when so many people wrote you off for so long,
called you a journeyman. Is it a wee bit of
a thought pattern in the back of your mind or.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
No, I do what it is. I just want to
prove to myself because I when I had those tough
times and odd times and boxing my boxing career and
everyone who comes to me once I shall finish, I
want it to prove because I knew deep downe and
say that I could be one of the best in
the world. And this is the proofs for myself that
I belong at the top. So there's not so much
like look what I look what I can do now,
and look where I'm at. It's more me going you
(10:22):
know what, I'm going to do my best and give
it everything I have while I'm in boxing.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
You're your own harshest critic without a doubt. Dezone have
got the fight pay per you get amongst it's a
huge card. Joe Parker, as always, thanks for taking the
time and making the time for us here at News
Talk ZB so close, so close to fight night. Hugely appreciated. Mate.
You get up there and bang.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Let's get it on. Let's bang bang bang.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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