Showtime Fight Preview

Anthony Joshua vs. Joseph Parker

Cardiff, Wales -- Come March 31, Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) and Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KOs) will square off in front of a sold out crowd of nearly 80,000 in Cardiff's Principality Stadium.  Making things even more exciting, this fight will be a unification bout with Joshua's IBF and WBA titles on the line against Parker's WBO title.  

Joshua landing a left hook on Carlos Takam

Joshua is a mountain of a man, standing at 6-feet, 6-inches with muscles on muscles.  He fights out of the orthodox stance and he will have a big 6-inch reach advantage over Parker.  Known simply as "AJ," Joshua has heavy, thudding hands.  He has a heavy jab and right hand but his best weapons are his lights out left hook and devastating uppercut with the right hand.

That uppercut was on display in Joshua's signature victory over Wladimir Klitschko in early 2017.  Joshua has won all 20 of his fights by the way of knockout and although he isn't a one punch put you to sleep puncher like Deontay Wilder, his thudding power breaks opponents down and none have even made it to the final round.  While Joshua has already dusted unbeaten fighters in Charles Martin and Dominic Breazeale, neither were of the caliber of a Parker, a seriously live dog, especially since he does have good power and Joshua has been dropped and rocked in previous fights. 

New Zealand's Parker began his career in obscurity but in recent years his profile has continued to climb.  Parker is an athletic heavyweight who works out of the orthodox stance.  He likes to work off his jab and keeps that lead hand low and while his left hook is solid it's his right hand that scores him his knockouts.  Also, like Joshua, Parker throws a mean uppercut.  Defensively though Parker likes to hang his chin out which could spell disaster against Joshua.

Parker sticking the body of Hughie Fury

Although Parker enters his fight with Joshua with a perfect record he has had some close calls, most notably a majority decision against Andy Ruiz that could have easily been a draw or win for Ruiz.  He also had a close decision win over Hughie Fury and has yet to face anyone with the combined skills and power of Joshua.

This fight should provide fans with an interesting contrast of styles.  While Joshua will be looking to break Parker down with power punches on the inside, Parker will be looking to stick and move.  It would be a huge mistake for Parker to stand and trade with Joshua and he needs to use his jab and footwork and pick his spots to open up with big combinations.  As for Joshua, if he can apply consistent pressure and not let Parker use his legs, he should be in for a good night.

PREDICTION: Despite some flaws, Joseph Parker has been able to remain an unbeaten fighter.  That will change on March 31 when he runs into the bigger, stronger, Anthony Joshua.  Joshua will really start to take over in the second half of the fight and he will knock Parker out in the 10th round.