Joseph Parker has revealed he is battling ongoing injuries as he prepares for his first defence of his WBO heavyweight belt.
Parker fights Romanian Razvan Cojanu in Manukau on Saturday, but he is having to fight through his own problems, suffering from ongoing shoulder and elbow injuries.
While all boxers manage ongoing niggles, Parker has told Newshub that there is little he can do to manage the ailments, outside of taking decent breaks between fights.
"It's something we can work out as best we can. We've seen physiotherapists and neuro-muscular specialists, been getting x-rays and MRIs on it. It's just wear and tear. The advice given is you just need a proper break after each fight," Parker told Newshub.
"It's pretty sore but I guess you just have to work through the pain."