Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker: Weight target kept secret despite Eddie Hearn’s early promise

But Joshua has declined to confirm expectations he would weight in lighter and has said that he may even be heavier than he was for the Carlos Takam fight

Anthony Joshua fights Joseph Parker on March 31 (Getty)

Anthony Joshua has refused to say whether he still intends to weigh-in notably lighter for his world title unification fight with Joseph Parker.

Only last month his promoter, Eddie Hearn, said that the “obsessed” champion would be “leaner and lighter” for his eagerly anticipated showdown against WBO world champion Parker.

“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 explained.

But Joshua has declined to confirm those expectations and has said that he may even be heavier than he was for the Carlos Takam fight, when he tipped the scales at a career record 18st 2lbs.

Asked by Sky Sports if he would be lighter, Joshua said: “I'm not going to say because, last time I said that, I came in at my career-heaviest.

“I'm not going to jinx it. Whether I'm bigger than I was for Takam, or lighter than I was for Dominic Breazeale, I will make sure I am victorious.

“I think stretching is important. Because I'm already a big guy I can tense up, naturally. I tend to do a lot more stretching now, to keep my body loose. I'm not snacking as much, which is something heavyweights can do.”

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

Parker has however been less coy about his weight ahead of the March 31 fight, with his trainer Kevin Barry recently reiterating the Kiwi’s commitment to shedding the pounds.

“Yes we'll come in lighter for this fight,” Barry said at the beginning of Parker’s camp.

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

Joseph Parker intends to weigh-in lighter (Getty)

Meanwhile, Joshua’s trainer Rob McCracken has warned his man that he risks coming “unstuck” if he underestimates Parker, who boasts a flawless professional record of 24-0 since turning pro in July 2012.

“He's busy, he's unbeaten, he's got quite quick hands, he believes in himself and he's got a decent game,” McCracken said.

“If you underestimate boxers like Joseph Parker, you could come unstuck, but there's none of that going on here - Anthony will take it deadly serious and get the win against Parker and then in the future, potentially box Wilder.

“But all that matters now is his next fight on the 31 March.”