Anatomy of a great fight: how Joseph Parker played the chances of getting in shape for his life

Why not take a chance in Las Vegas? After all, what had happened before had not produced the desired result on the ultimate boxing scene. So, Joseph Parker and his coaching control avatar Kevin Barry rolled the dice and tipped some well-established habits on their head

The result will be tangible Saturday night (Sunday morning NZT) at 39. O2 Arena. in London when Parker takes the dangerous local hope Dillian Whyte in what is labeled a make-or-break fight for his career prospects. There is much at stake, with the winner and the loser ready to go in opposite directions after what is, essentially, an eliminator of the people.

Especially for Parker. At the beginning of the year, he was a heavyweight champion of the world; Now, after his unanimous defeat at the hands of Britain's Anthony Joshua in a fight that has unified four belts, he stands at the edge of the precipice. He must earn this to stay in the title conversation. To stay relevant.

He knew that when this fight was signed (in an absurdly fast three days, which says a lot about the relationship between David Higgins's Duco and Eddie Hearn's Matchroom). Just like Barry. And after the failure of Joshua's battle, they both thought that they had no choice but to change the formula.

READ MORE:
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* Joshua Revenge for Joe
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* Biggest Battle of the Quarry from Joe & # 39;
* Punching with bad intentions & # 39;

Then Barry proposed a new program, somehow on steroids. He moved the sessions of strength and conditioning from the evening to the morning. He overturned the boxing training sessions at the evening slots. They had their shopping. Their yoga. Their massage.

"We managed 102 rounds in four weeks, we have never done in our five and a half years together 102 rounds in four.Not even very far," said the graying coach

Barry canceled Parker's first week in Vegas after he flew 34 hours to London (for the fight announcement) and Nevada. They were still two or three times a day, but "Joe was a zombie".

Adds Barry: "I said as soon as you have your legs under you we have four weeks and we have to make the best four weeks We have already done so if we intend to win this fight. We must make a winner every day, and we have done it.

"By the time we worked together, it's the best four-week workout block we've ever done."

Parker l & # He's loved, we see him in his eyes in London, he's ready, he's relaxed, he's walking around the hood on the south bank of the Thames, as he already knows the result of this fight

. We did not do the same routine where we run in the morning, we box, then we build strength. We changed everything and it was something totally new.

"It was a different state of mind, it was" exciting "We had the impression to see more benefits – not only with the body, but the rest was good, the spirit was good, and everything was starting to decline early compared to the other camps. "

Here's how the 7 week preparation for the big fight failed: [19659006] Training Camp – Las Vegas (5 weeks)

Barry: "I had used to coach twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday and we decided to face us Tuesday-Thursday-Friday, so we went back with 10-round sparring sessions Thursday and Friday "Joe played his role in being disciplined with the diet, taking the rest, doing the ice recovery , yoga, massage … all things to keep your body ticking. He was well rested and we were able to push the buttons. Parker: "I arrived at the camp at 110-111 kg and was able to work on technique, skills and combinations, instead of losing weight. When one does all that is right, it all boils down to a larger image

"[Earlier] I can honestly say that I did not do everything right I was standing up late, I was going out, I was playing at golf, I slept late, I ate burgers, fries and chocolates.Now I've changed everything.Or Joshua and in this fight, there is a big difference not only in the way you train and feel, but also in the mind.Everything merges to make you a complete fighter. "

Barry:" It was a short camp, and you look at the levels you hope to reach and the boxes that you hope to reach.We have ticked all the boxes.As a coach, I am very happy.Joe has shown all the good things, and with the motivation and motivation I am very confident of & # 39; 39, a great performance. "

Final Preparation – London (just under 2 weeks)

Barry: "It's the shrinking phase, where rest, recovery, staying alert and having alertness are so important. We brought a sparring partner, we arrived on Tuesday, we went to the gym, we did eight rounds on the leggings, from Wednesday to Thursday, we ran in the morning and we went to the boxing gym at 14h. Friday we played five rounds on Saturday 4.

"At the beginning of Joe's career in those two weeks we were not going to fight, but it's better for him, the week before we left. we did 12 rounds on Tuesday, 10 th and 10 th on Friday, he did his best runs all over the camp, we did yoga and massages this afternoon, he left on Monday, we ran, we we worked on the skates of the gym and we jumped on the plane. "The most important thing of the last two weeks is the rest, arriving at the time zone as fast as possible, maintaining the proper nutrition and by giving yourself good food so that you can burn the good energy and do the work. "

Or as Barry concludes:" London has become a home away from home, we train in David's gym Haye who is right around the corner from the hotel Joe had four massag were deep tissue last week. dinners prepared by a food company here we have doctors here we have a very good setup here, it's not Vegas, but we have a good team around us.

"You also watch a lot of videos, we watched a lot of movies this camp is another sign of its maturity, there are a lot of changes in the battle of Joshua, but this fight taught it." yeah there is another level and we have to make some changes if we want to be one of the best players in the division … "[19659006] So the die rolled We'll know the payment on Saturday night at the & # 39; 39; O2

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Marc Hinton traveled to London with the help of Duco Events

– Stuff