Anthony Joshua to be ‘leaner and lighter’ for Joseph Parker unification showdown, says Eddie Hearn

Hearn has shared some new details about Joshua’s training camp, revealing that the 28-year-old is now down to a comparitively trim 17st 7lb

Anthony Joshua tipped the scales at 18st 2lbs for his last fight (Getty)

Anthony Joshua has been working hard to get “leaner” and will be “lighter” for his upcoming unification fight against WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, according to Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn.

Joshua, the WBA and IBO belt holder, tipped the scales at a career high 18st 2lbs for his fight against Carlos Takam last year, which he won in the tenth round.

However Joshua has since admitted that allowed his strict weight management to slide after Takam was announced as a late replacement for the injured Kubrat Pulev.

“I was 18st 4lb for the Takam fight but I'm already 17st 8lb now,” he commented earlier this month. “I'm watching everything I eat. It's down to experience.”

And Hearn has shared some new details about Joshua’s training camp, revealing that the 28-year-old is now down to 17st 7lb – 5lbs less than the 17st 12lbs he weighed in at ahead of his memorable victory over Wladimir Klitschko.

“I can't see him coming in more than 17st 8lbs or 17st 9lbs, which would be half-a-stone lighter than the last fight. Maybe he will be even lighter,” Hearn told Sky Sports.

“I was laughing with him, saying: 'you're worse than my wife - you're constantly on the scales checking your weight'.

“He feels amazing. I was on FaceTime with him and he got on the scales - he was 17st 7lbs on Sunday night. He'd had a weekend of replenishing.

“From the day after his Takam fight, all he has been thinking about is how he can improve, get a bit leaner, improve the jab, improve the footwork. He is obsessed with improvement.

“I watched him spar 12 rounds last week. His footwork is so much better - he is gliding on his feet, he has got faster hands. He is so meticulous in camp, like nothing I've ever seen.

“He is lighter and started camp earlier so they aren't having to exhaust him. He is working hard, but much smarter. So far, this is the best camp he's had. Coming in lighter, he feels great.”

Joseph Parker also wants to bring a leaner physique into the fight (Getty)

Parker has also been working hard to bring a leaner physique into the heavyweight unification clash, with the Kiwi’s long-term trainer Kevin Barry revealing he would be lighter than he was for his last victory, against Britain’s Hughie Fury.

“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 said.

“I think it's very important that Joe is very fast on his feet and very mobile in this fight against Joshua.

“I think the last fight we weighed 112[kgs]. I want to see Joe somewhere around the 108[kgs].”