Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing
Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news
Anthony Joshua believes Joseph Parker will be overwhelmed by the prospect of fighting in front of 80,000 fans at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium – something he has never done before.
Saturday’s unification fight in the Welsh capital will be the third time Joshua has fought in front of a sold-out stadium of 80,000 fans or more having beaten Wladimir Klitschko in Wembley and Carlos Takam last time out at the Principality.
It will be the fourth time Joshua has fought in a stadium in total, having been on the undercard at Wembley for his sixth professional fight, while Parker fought in front of just 12,000 at Auckland’s Vector Centre when he won the WBO title against Andy Ruiz.
Anthony Joshua's open workout in pictures
Show all 38
And Joshua warned that the occasion may get the better of the 26-year-old when he walks out in Cardiff.
“It took me a few times to get used to it,” Joshua told BBC Radio 5 live. “It's an experience he hasn't faced yet. It is daunting, it is overwhelming.
“You have a fighter that will block out the noise, which takes a whole heap of energy. Then you have a fighter who rides the wave, which can leave you too excited.
“The fight is won or lost in training camp but the last bolt is screwed on during the spell from your changing room to the first bell.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies