As Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker put the finishing touches to training camps, we analyse the main sparring partners for both champions.
The rival world heavyweight title holders have sharpened their skills in countless rounds of sparring ahead of their unification clash at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Team GB boxer Frazer Clarke has traded punches with Joshua during regular sessions in Sheffield, while American Malik Scott has followed Parker over to Britain to finish sparring.
We asked Clarke and Scott to offer more insight into how they assisted the world champions, and compare preparations in the opposing camp.
What has impressed you about this training camp?
Frazer Clarke: He’s very fit and very strong. He’s dropped weight and it’s holding him in good stead – he’s agile. He takes every training camp with 100 per cent professionalism. People question his fitness but this is one of the fittest athletes I’ve ever been in the gym with.
Malik Scott: This Joseph Parker is the best Joseph Parker that I have ever been around. More mentally than anything. I came into camp saying this is a 50-50 fight, and that’s me coming into camp.
Once I got into camp and saw how focused he was, my opinion kind of changed all the way over towards Joseph. You can’t count AJ out, and that’s what makes this fight a fantastic fight.
Have they sparred with a range of fighters?
Malik Scott: Big time and Tony Yoka is no joke. That kid can fight. When they brought him in it was perfect, right before we were leaving. The last two-three weeks they had him in.
Razwan [Cojanu] is tough. Razwan to me is the violent guy that you need in camp. He pushes you, he hits you with elbows, he head-butts you. Kevin had to stop the work and get in his face. You need that, because you’re coming to war. Joseph Parker is ready.
Frazer Clarke: He’s had different types of sparring partners, and I’ve seen him spar 15 rounds. He’s sparred with Marlo Moore, who is a lot smaller, but makes up for that with speed. He’s a good attacking fighter.
Carlos Takam brought his experience. My youth and hungriness. We had a big Italian heavyweight, who packed a punch. Joshua has covered all aspects.
What do you make of the sparring partners in the opposing camp?
Frazer Clarke: I’ve fought Tony [Yoka], and he’s very good. Tony is an Olympic champion too, so Parker hasn’t slouched with his sparring partners. He’s got the calibre that he needs.
Malik Scott: All top class. All top guys, but I can say this, none of them is on Joseph Parker’s level, in my opinion.
Carlos Takam, Joseph Parker been there and done that, but Takam is tough. The kid from Oakland [Moore]. I heard he is only 200lbs? In my opinion, he cannot emulate what Joe is bringing to the table.
Johnny Nelson’s verdict
On Joshua
Frazer Clarke knows him well. Frazer knows what he can get away with, and what he can’t get away with. Joshua needs someone to push him and Frazer is fast and he’s busy. The down side of having someone that knows you well is they will be more predictable.
Carlos Takam, I think is a brilliant choice. Takam is perfect size-wise and he will keep coming and keep pushing AJ, so he’ll make him work to the best of his ability. Come forward pressure, that’s what he needs, and that’s Parker all the way through.
On Parker
Tony Yoka was Olympic gold medallist, he’s busy, and he does the basics of an orthodox fighter very well. Uses a nice jab well, uses a right hand well, he positions himself well. I understand that choice, I get it, he’s got to deal with a fast jab, with someone that’s got a successful amateur style, and is technically sound.
Malik Scott is a professional sparring partner. I think he will have used Malik Scott for size, the awkwardness, for tying him up. That will happen, we saw it when Joshua boxed Whyte. He will tie him up, lean on him, and get up close and personal.
Who has the edge?
I think they have both done the correct thing in regards to choices of sparring partners, with the opponent that is in front of them. That’s the right move for both of them. I don’t think any of them has made a mistake.
If I had to pull anybody up, I would probably say Frazer, but maybe they picked Frazer because he’s good at exposing certain sides of AJ, because he spars with him on a regular basis. Apart from that, I think they’re all good.
Watch Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker, live and exclusive from Cardiff, March 31, on Sky Sports Box Office. Book via your Sky remote or online here.
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Sourse: skysports.com
