Joshua v Parker: Tony Bellew backs AJ to win within eight rounds
Fellow heavyweight fighter Tony Bellew has backed Anthony Joshua to beat rival Joseph Parker in eight rounds.
The duo go toe-to-toe at the Principality Stadium on Saturday night with Joshua deemed the favourite as he looks to unify his WBA and IBF titles with Parker’s WBO belt.
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And Bellew told talkSPORT he hopes AJ can claim the spoils within eight or he risks entering tricky territory.
He said: “I hope [Joshua wins] within eight rounds. After eight rounds the fight becomes a really, really hard fight so I think Joshua within eight. And I’m really hoping it is, to be honest.”
Bellew believes that while Parker is confident about causing an upset, he’ll be experiencing an entirely new level of competitor when he battles the imperious Joshua.
He added: “Joseph Parker is unbeaten, he’s never tasted defeat and in his mind he believes he’s going to stay undefeated.
“He’s a world champion, he’s beaten a couple of good guys himself, so he’s got every reason to be confident going into the fight and believe he’s going to beat Anthony Joshua.
“It’s one thing believing but it’s another thing when a big guy as imposing as Anthony Joshua is standing right in front of you with 10 ounce gloves on - it’s a whole different ball game.
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“When you look at the calibre of guys Joseph Parker has beaten, there are some good guys on that list. Carlos Takam I would say, personally, is the best name on his record and then after that there are not many stand out names.
“The best way of looking at this fight is if it was going to be Parker v Wladimir Klitschko, what chance would you give him? I think it would be very slim.
“Anthony Joshua knocked out Wladimir Klitschko in an absolutely amazing fight, one of the best fights I’ve ever seen and been a part of.
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“We have to put things into perspective here. Joseph Parker is an undefeated challenger and a strong guy but, ultimately, he’s coming up against the best heavyweight in the world.
“Anthony Joshua hasn’t got anything left to experience in the game. Questions are going to be asked of Joseph Parker tonight that he hasn’t had to answer before. Anthony has answered them. He’s got off the floor to win, he’s been in very hard, demanding fights, and we haven’t seen this happen to Joseph Parker yet and tonight those questions are going to be asked of him by Anthony Joshua.”