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Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker LIVE: Press conference ahead of heavyweight title unification clash

Follow all the latest reaction from the final press conference

Luke Brown
Tuesday 27 March 2018 12:45 BST
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Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker square up before heavyweight title fight

Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker meet this weekend in Cardiff in what promises to be a blockbuster.

The Brit's WBA, IBF and IBO titles on the line at the Principality Stadium with the Kiwi's WBO belt also up for grabs.

The duo will speak for the final time before Saturday's must-watch clash at the final pre-fight press conference on Tuesday.

You can follow all the latest in the live blog below.

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When is the fight?

The fight takes place on Saturday 31 March.

What time will the ringwalks be?

We are still waiting on official ringwalk timings, but it is likely the pair will enter the ring around 10pm.

Where is the fight?

The fight takes place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Joshua last fought there late last year, when he stopped the late-replacement Carlos Takam in the tenth round of their heavyweight title fight.

Are there any tickets left to buy?

Spare tickets are still floating around on StubHub.

Who will win?

  • Joshua to win: 1/12
  • Parker to win: 6/1
  • Draw: 40/1
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Welcome to our coverage of Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker press conference in Lodnon.

The Brit's WBA, IBF and IBO titles on the line at the Principality Stadium with the Kiwi's WBO belt also up for grabs.

The duo will speak for the final time before Saturday's must-watch clash at the final pre-fight press conference on Tuesday.

We will have the latest right here. Without further ado, off we go.

Ben Burrows27 March 2018 11:18
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Before we get underway, why not check out Jack Austin's exclusive interview with the man who made AJ:

Vithushan Ehantharajah27 March 2018 11:37
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Wondering what happened at the first press conference? We've got you covered.

Anthony Joshua said that it will take a superhuman effort for Joseph Parker to stop him from becoming undisputed world heayweight champion.

Parker's promoter David Higgins brought up Joshua's 'weak chin' during Tuesday's London press conference, something he admitted as a ploy to land the mouth-watering clash, but the Briton does not believe it will be a factor in the bout.

Joshua said: “It will take more than a human to stop me from where I am destined to be.

“That's why I learned to not walk with sight, I walk with faith in this journey so in terms of you, using it as a PR stunt and the rumours you have heard, they are fake news.

“Three times I've been hurt or stopped. What I have learned from those adversities and storms, it will take more than any human to stop me from this journey."

The 28-year-old Briton has won all 20 of his professional bouts inside the distance and showed respect to his next opponent, who is unbeaten in his 24-fight career.

Joshua added: “It is an honour to be up here with another world champion. I don't know how to take his camp in terms of what's been said and what's been going on but I take everything with a pinch of salt and I roll with the punches.

“I'll be in peak physical condition but I'm making sure my mind is in the right place as well, at all times.

“So I'm looking forward to embracing the challenge, not just from a physical stand point but the mental challenge that will come from this fight as well."

Parker was in no doubt that the upcoming clash would be the most difficult of his career, but he anticipates that he will be taking three major world titles back to New Zealand.

The New Zealander said: “It's an exciting time to be a heavyweight. This is going to be the hardest camp and most work as I have a big challenge in front of me in Joshua.

“I've watched him for a long time. I know his strengths, he know mine. I know his weaknesses and he thinks he knows my weaknesses.

“I can't wait to have this fight happen on March 31. I can't wait to put on a great performance, hopefully I will catch him on the chin and knock him out.”

Vithushan Ehantharajah27 March 2018 11:45
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There has been some drama between Joshua and Parker and the press conference hasn't even started yet...

Here's the full story:

Vithushan Ehantharajah27 March 2018 11:53
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It's midday and we're almost ready...

Will Joshua turn up late again? Will Parker leave early? Stay tuned and find out. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah27 March 2018 11:59
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Joshua is here! 

And he's making his way to the news conference, just the six minutes late.

Eddie Hearn is also in position, it looks as though we're almost ready to begin! 

Vithushan Ehantharajah27 March 2018 12:07
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Hearn has taken up his seat, as have Team Parker.

We're just waiting on the big man now. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah27 March 2018 12:09
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Michael Buffer has taken to the stage and has just introduced a promo video.

Still no sign of the two champions, mind.

Vithushan Ehantharajah27 March 2018 12:13
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Parker is introduced first, looking very sharp in a gray suit and the sort of glasses the NHS used to hand out back in the 70s.

Vithushan Ehantharajah27 March 2018 12:13
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And here comes Joshua, looking very relaxed in a black Under Armour tracksuit. He comes out to Usual Suspects by Rick Ross. Absolute Terry and June, that.

Vithushan Ehantharajah27 March 2018 12:15

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